Fulltext

Bioinspired soft robots for deep-sea exploration

Li G 1 , Wong TW 2 , Shih B 3 , Guo C 4 , Wang L 5 , Liu J 6 Show all authors , Wang T 4 , Liu X 4 , Yan J 7 , Wu B 8 , Yu F 4 , Chen Y 4 , Liang Y 9 , Xue Y 2 , Wang C 2 , He S 10 , Wen L 6 , Tolley MT 7 , Zhang AM 11 , Laschi C 12 , Li T 13

Affiliations 

  • 1 Qingdao Innovation and Development Base, Harbin Engineering University, Qingdao, China. grli@hrbeu.edu.cn
  • 2 Center for X-Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
  • 3 School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
  • 4 Qingdao Innovation and Development Base, Harbin Engineering University, Qingdao, China
  • 5 School of Information and Electrical Engineering, Hangzhou City University, Hangzhou, China
  • 6 School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, China
  • 7 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, MA, USA
  • 8 School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China
  • 9 Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, China
  • 10 Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, China
  • 11 Science and Technology on Underwater Vehicle Technology Laboratory, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
  • 12 Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
  • 13 Center for X-Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China. litiefeng@zju.edu.cn
Nat Commun, 2023 Nov 04;14(1):7097.
PMID: 37925504 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42882-3

Abstract

The deep ocean, Earth's untouched expanse, presents immense challenges for exploration due to its extreme pressure, temperature, and darkness. Unlike traditional marine robots that require specialized metallic vessels for protection, deep-sea species thrive without such cumbersome pressure-resistant designs. Their pressure-adaptive forms, unique propulsion methods, and advanced senses have inspired innovation in designing lightweight, compact soft machines. This perspective addresses challenges, recent strides, and design strategies for bioinspired deep-sea soft robots. Drawing from abyssal life, it explores the actuation, sensing, power, and pressure resilience of multifunctional deep-sea soft robots, offering game-changing solutions for profound exploration and operation in harsh conditions.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Similar publications