Soft-bodied robots move via pneumatic "muscles" that are selectively inflated or deflated. And while the muscles themselves may be soft and squishy, they're usually hooked up to hard, unwieldy pumps.

Researchers are beginning to bridge the gap between humans and robots by inventing technology to make it safer for them to work alongside each other. As part of this effort, researchers at the Wyss ...

Researchers at Arizona State University are developing bio-inspired robotic "muscles" that will enable robots to operate in ...

Several research groups across the United States and Europe have demonstrated that 3D-printed artificial muscles can ...

Humanoid robots have glimmered on the tech horizon for half a century, but each new prototype still triggers Masahiro Mori’s “uncanny valley.” When a machine looks almost, but not quite, human, our ...

A kirigami-skinned soft robot powered by pneumatic muscles achieves crawling, steering and obstacle avoidance, advancing mobility for confined and rough terrain. (Nanowerk News) Limbless animals move ...

For millions of factory and warehouse workers, the smallest lift can lead to the biggest pain. Repetitive motions, awkward postures, and constant strain add up, often ending in costly musculoskeletal ...

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Soft robotics is designed to create flexible, adaptable devices capable of safe interaction with humans and delicate objects. This field has captivated researchers and engineers ...

(A) Robot’s body featuring anterior and posterior segments and 2 proximity sensors mounted on its head. (B) Demonstration of different deformation modalities and schematic of inflated chambers. (C) ...