Semi-Autonomous Soft Robots Set to Save Lives

When you think of robots, you likely envision a rigid machine that can accomplish tasks or assist you in your endeavors. However, another robot class continues to raise eyebrows and usher in innovation – soft robots. These unique devices can morph their shape and actions to meet many tasks. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Soft Robots and Why Are They Game-Changers?

The soft robotics sector is an exciting market that continues to see massive upgrades and innovation. Many see these devices as the key to disaster relief efforts. These units’ soft and adjustable nature allows them to squeeze through tiny holes and pipes when needed, allowing the robot to reach the most difficult locations that would be otherwise impossible to achieve using traditional options.

Soft robots are built from flexible materials that allow them to morph and bend their structure as needed. These devices come in many forms, with some designed to squiggle through pipes like a snake, while others can fold or roll into a ball, providing superior access when the situation demands.

Key Challenges Holding Back Soft Robot Development

Soft robots aren’t perfect. Their inherent design and materials make creating these devices a balance between performance and locating components in areas where they don’t hinder flexibility. In the past, engineers would limit the electronics used to help reduce the stiffness of their soft robotic electronics.

Reducing the integrated sensors found in these systems helps to eliminate stiff boards and servos, but it also means that these devices are usually limited to one-way communication systems. These systems are how the pilot would navigate the robot through the rough terrain.

Recognizing the limitations in this approach, a team of creative engineers from several leading research institutions has put forth an enhanced soft robot design that reduces stiffness and ups performance across the board.

Breakthrough Study Unveils Smarter, Flexible Soft Robots

The “Wireless, Multifunctional System-Integrated Programmable Soft Robot“¹ study published in Nano-Micro Letters introduces a novel soft robot concept that is more capable and affordable than previous options. As part of the robot’s upgraded capabilities, the team introduced a host of sensors that allow the device to make semi-autonomous decisions based on its current situation and surroundings.

Inside the Design of Next-Gen Soft Robots

As part of the new soft robot design, the team started by recreating the soft robot layout from the ground up. They realized that they needed to make the device in a manner that allows it to achieve multiple forms and movements with minimal energy consumption. To accomplish this task, they integrate magnetically responsive soft composite matrices with deformable multifunctional electronics.

How Engineers Preserve Flexibility in Advanced Soft Robots

Keeping soft robots flexible is a major issue for designers and engineers alike. Every time you add another chip, sensor, battery, or servo, you limit the flexibility of that part of the robot considerably. Consequently, more capable soft robots usually have less flexibility as their core components can’t bend without failure.

The team spent lots of time debating on the ideal wireless circuit, sensors, and devices. From there, it was up to the engineers to determine the best location for these devices that would impact movement. In the end, a specific layout was agreed upon that spaced the electronics in a way that allowed the bot to fully adjust and even curl into a ball when required.

Magnetically Controlled Motion: How These Soft Robots Move

The engineers then needed to figure out how to provide the robot with the ability to morph its shape. For this step, they turned towards several magnetic compounds. Specifically, the magnetic compounds are prepared by mixing the synthesized WcMPs with a silicone elastomer and a curing agent.

From there, a laser was used to pattern the magnetic soft composites before heat was applied. The next step required engineers to program an external magnetic field (200 mT) to rotate and align the direction of embedded magnetic particles. Lastly, the newly created magnets were allowed to cool.

These purpose-built magnets were designed to undergo phase transition at a low temperature, allowing engineers to shift magnetic polarity in seconds. By adjusting the field’s strength and direction, the team can make the robot perform certain tasks and shapes. They note that they could get their device to bend, twist, and crawl using this method.

Steering Soft Robots with Precision Using Magnetic Fields

The lab created a magnetic material that was embedded in the unit’s flexible structure. This action enabled engineers to control the device utilizing magnetic fields. Engineers applied the field via handheld magnets and electromagnetic field generators.

Specifically, a commercial permanent NdFeB magnet and a customized cylinder electromagnet were chosen as the best way to apply an external magnetic field. These devices generate enough force to move the magnetic soft robot.

Integrated Sensors That Make Soft Robots Semi-Autonomous

At the core of this research was a desire to make the first semi-autonomous soft robots. These devices would integrate a sensor suite that would allow them to make decisions based on the environment. For example, they could set the unit to respond to changes in temperature, obstacles, or time constraints.

Overcoming Magnetic Interference in Soft Robot Electronics

The engineers knew that the interpoint of magnets would come with some new issues that must be addressed, mainly interference. Magnetic fields are great for activating magnets but not so great in terms of electronic interference. These magnetic fields can disrupt electronic functions and create chaos.

As such, the engineers spent a lot of time determining the ideal electronics layout. They were able to determine the best sensor and chip placement based on interference levels and pre-force. This step ensured that the soft robot wouldn’t suddenly fail when it changes shape and alters its electromagnetic properties.

Testing the Capabilities of Soft Robots in Real Environments

To demonstrate their soft robots’ capabilities, the team set up a tiny obstacle course. The tiny magnetically powered device was able to traverse a variety of terrains and obstacles to complete the journey successfully. The robot can be seen in a published video traversing the terrain by altering its shape and layout.

The robot first enters a pipe and forms a ball, enabling it to quickly make it through the obstacle. From there, it encountered several types of terrain, ranging in layout, height, and roughness. During these tests, the engineers were keen to monitor stability and electronic performance.

How Electrical Components Perform Under Magnetic Stress

The electrical components of the robot were thoroughly tested as well. These tests measured the effects of electromagnetic interference on the devices’ crucial components, like inductor, temperature, strain, transistors, capacitors, μ-LED,  μ-heater, microcontroller (μC), diodes, and Bluetooth low-energy system-on-chip.

Results Prove New Soft Robot Design Boosts Performance

The test results proved that the new soft robot design was highly effective and performed better than traditional soft robotics. They noted that the untethered electronic robots and magnetically responsive engineered composites allowed the engineers to achieve an exceptional range of motions and shapes.

The robot design offers stable and accurate execution of multi-modal electrical functions without any loss of mechanical movement. Additionally, the sensors allowed the robot to make real-time decisions to achieve its goal. This approach showcased the adaptability and ability of the device to perform complex tasks under a wide array of conditions.

Benefits of Soft Robots in Rescue, Medicine, and Industry

There are a lot of benefits that this soft robot study brings to the market. For one, it opens the door for more capable and agile devices. Utilizing magnets instead of servos makes these units far more flexible, lighter, and responsive. These benefits mean that engineers can be more innovative in their designs in the future. It also enables them to scale up or down their designs based on requirements.

Real-World Use Cases and the Future of Soft Robots

There are many applications for soft robots in the market today. From taking over industrial tasks to working side by side with humans, these devices will reshape the market in a lot of ways. Here are some of the best use case scenarios for soft robotics in the coming years.

Disaster Rescue

Many analysts see soft robots as the best solution to disaster recovery efforts. When there are major disasters like earthquakes or flooding, the rescue teams may be hindered by the large amount of rubble and destruction caused by the event.

Soft robots are designed to navigate these conditions easily. In the future, they can be set up with sensors that help to locate survivors using tech like heartbeat or ammonia sensors. These units can be deployed en mass to inch their way through collapsed buildings or rough jungles until they find life. As such, they could become a valuable tool for first responders in the future.

Medical

Soft robotics has a long and interesting history in the medical field. These devices could one day deliver medicine to hard-to-target areas like your liver or kidneys. These robots will be capable of navigating the intricate pathways of the human body and completing tasks.

For example, a robot pill will integrate advanced sensors that can track data like PH changes or pressure alterations at the source. The engineers even envision a day when you can receive an injection to load the robot into your body to treat cardiovascular diseases, deliver medication, or monitor vital details.

Industrial Assistance

Soft robotics will be everywhere in the factories of the future. Unlike their hard counterparts, soft robots can work next to humans without upping the chances of injury. Already, scientists have been looking at a response system based on sensors that would make these units react like a human when they bump into co-workers, pulling back and preventing injury.

Meet the Engineers Behind the Soft Robot Innovation

This research included participants from several highly affected educational institutions. Specifically, Penn State engineers led the study alongside a team of researchers from other institutions.

The report lists Sungkeun Han, Jeong-Woong Shin, Joong Hoon Lee, Bowen Li, Gwan-Jin Ko, Tae-Min Jang, Ankan Dutta, Won Bae Han, Seung Min Yang, Dong-Je Kim, Heeseok Kang, Jun Hyeon Lim, Chan-Hwi Eom, So Jeong Choi, Huanyu Cheng, and Suk-Won Hwang as contributors. It also states that the National Research Foundation of South Korea and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology helped fund this research.

What’s Next for Soft Robots: Miniaturization and Medicine

According to the engineers, they have lots of plans to improve their device in the future. They hope to further miniaturize the system to make it suitable for biomedical use cases. Imagine a pill that was a robot designed to scan your intestinal tract and digestive system. All of these options and more are on the table.

Investing in BioTechnology

The robotics field is a fast-growing sector that ranges from firms building war machines all the way to microscopic machines that you can swallow. This diverse sector has seen considerable investment and innovation over the last decade. This research has culminated in the introduction of high-performance robots that are now commercially available. Here’s one company that continues to drive innovation in robotics and biotech.

iRhythm Technologies: A Leading AI-Driven Cardiac Monitoring Firm

While the current study is not yet commercialized, other biotech companies like iRhythm Technologies are already demonstrating the promise of integrating AI with health-monitoring robotics.

iRhythm Technologies (IRTC +3.34%) was founded in 2006 and is incorporated in Delaware. Its founder, Uday N. Kumar, created the firm to provide high-end cardiovascular monitoring systems to first responders. Its first product was a sensor patch that saw adoption within the healthcare sector.

Today, iRhythm Technologies offers a suite of advanced cardiac monitoring devices. These units combine proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify arrhythmia faster. Notably, the company continues to improve its products and AI by integrating its data into future devices. Those seeking access to a biotech firm that already has strong support from the market should consider IRCTC.

Latest on iRhythm Technologies

Why Soft Robots Could Be Lifesaving in the Near Future

When you examine the use case scenarios and capabilities of these devices, it’s easy to see that they fill a niche that traditional robots could never. As such, demand for these unique devices is set to increase as their capabilities become better understood.

Thankfully, this latest study helps to shed light on these devices and opens the door for more innovation. For now, anyone interested in helping to name these robots can submit their best options to Cheng at [email protected].

Learn about other cool robotics here.

Studies Referenced:

^{1. Han, S., Shin, JW., Lee, J.H. et al. Wireless, Multifunctional System-Integrated Programmable Soft Robot. Nano-Micro Lett. 17, 152 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-024-01601-3}