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Bioinspired electronics for intelligent soft robots

Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering volume 1, pages 597–613 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Soft robots, capable of safe interaction with delicate objects through their flexibility and compliance, are attracting attention in various real-world applications as manipulators, biomedical devices and wearable tools. As these technologies advance, the ability to perform complex tasks in a robust and reliable way becomes essential. Thus, the incorporation of embedded intelligence in soft robots, which enables them to perceive external environments and generate appropriate actions, is increasingly important. Inspiration from sophisticated biological systems, which exhibit optimized behaviours through the acquisition of external information, promotes the development of intelligent soft robots. Here, we introduce biomimicry strategies for intelligent soft robotics and highlight progress in how soft robots interact with their environment and perform tasks. First, we discuss sensors inspired by the sensory nervous systems and soft actuators inspired by the musculoskeletal systems. Furthermore, we investigate various applications such as manipulation, exploration, wearable devices, biomedical devices and imperceptible devices. We conclude discussing the challenges and offering a perspective on the future direction of this field.

Key points

  • Intelligent soft robots demonstrate advanced capabilities in environmental perception, decision-making based on contextual cues and execution of physical tasks, surpassing the limitations of traditional robots.

  • Nature serves as inspiration for the development of intelligent soft robots, leveraging efficient sensory and responsive mechanisms through innovations in sensors and actuators.

  • Despite notable strides, widespread adoption of intelligent soft robots is hindered by challenges such as data processing, energy constraints and the imperative for enhanced multifunctionality in practical applications.

  • An in-depth understanding of the operational mechanisms of nature and mimicry strategies is pivotal for addressing current hurdles and driving the evolution of intelligent soft robotics in research and applications.

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Fig. 1: Schematic of intelligent soft robots.
Fig. 2: Sensor signal processing inspired by the sensory nervous system.
Fig. 3: Working principles of soft actuators.
Fig. 4: Timeline of major milestones in the development of bioinspired electronics.
Fig. 5: Intelligent soft robotics.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (grant number 2021R1A2B5B03001691).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Junhyuk Bang, Seok Hwan Choi.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Junhyuk Bang, Seok Hwan Choi, Kyung Rok Pyun, Yeongju Jung, Sangwoo Hong, Dohyung Kim, Youngseok Lee, Daeyeon Won, Seongmin Jeong, Wooseop Shin & Seung Hwan Ko

  2. Institute of Engineering Research/Institute of Advanced Machinery and Design (SNU-IAMD), Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Seung Hwan Ko

  3. Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Seung Hwan Ko

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  1. Junhyuk Bang
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Contributions

J.B., S.H.C. and S.H.K. researched data and wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to the discussion, revision and editing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Seung Hwan Ko.

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Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering thanks Xinyi Lin (who co-reviewed with Jia Liu), Chengkuo Lee and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work.

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Bang, J., Choi, S.H., Pyun, K.R. et al. Bioinspired electronics for intelligent soft robots. Nat Rev Electr Eng 1, 597–613 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44287-024-00081-2

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