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The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
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Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
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  3. Programmable Somatosensory Soft Robots.
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  3. Programmable Somatosensory Soft Robots.

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Programmable somatosensory soft robots.

Antonia Georgopoulou1,2, Malena Aguiriano Calvo1,3, Lorenzo Lucherini1

  • 1Soft Materials Laboratory, Institute of Materials (SMaL), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Npj Flexible Electronics
|April 23, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed novel soft robotic actuators using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with integrated Joule heating. This innovation enables responsive, energy-efficient manipulation for delicate items in automated systems.

Keywords:
EngineeringMaterials science

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Integrating intelligent behavior into soft robots is challenging due to bulky hardware requirements.
  • Soft materials like poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) offer potential for actuation but suffer from slow response and high energy demands.
  • Existing limitations hinder the use of PNIPAM in closed-loop control systems for soft robotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop advanced soft robotic actuators with enhanced responsiveness and energy efficiency.
  • To overcome the limitations of traditional PNIPAM-based actuators in closed-loop control.
  • To demonstrate a novel approach for localized actuation in soft robotic systems.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of PNIPAM-based actuators with integrated hydrogel-based Joule heating.
  • Implementation of localized heating to enable temperature-responsive motion without significant ambient temperature changes.
  • Development of a soft gripper capable of lifting objects multiple times its own weight.

    • Main Results:

    • The developed actuators provide localized actuation via Joule heating, minimizing impact on the surrounding environment.
    • A soft gripper was created, demonstrating the ability to lift objects up to three times its own weight.
    • The gripper exhibited adaptive actuation, responding to the properties of the gripped object.

    Conclusions:

    • The novel PNIPAM actuators with integrated Joule heating offer a promising solution for energy-efficient soft robotics.
    • This technology enables responsive and adaptive manipulation, suitable for delicate item handling in automated systems.
    • The findings pave the way for simplified, embodied intelligent systems in soft robotics applications.