Table 5.
Key findings in the use of biomimetic materials in the robotics field.
| Key Findings and Applications |
Description |
|---|---|
| Soft robots with shape-changing abilities [103] | Utilization of 4D-printed materials exhibiting shape memory effects or stimuli-responsive behavior, enabling robots to undergo controlled and reversible shape changes in response to external stimuli like temperature, light, or humidity. This allows for navigation of complex terrains, squeezing through tight spaces, and safe human interaction. |
| Robotic systems with artificial muscles [104] | Integration of electroactive polymers (EAPs) into 4D-printed structures, enabling the development of robots with soft and compliant actuators that mimic the behavior and properties of natural muscles. This facilitates safer human–robot interactions, precise manipulation of objects, and enhanced robot adaptability in dynamic environments. |
| Robotic systems with self-healing capabilities [105] | Exploration of materials that can autonomously repair themselves when damaged, ensuring longer operational lifetimes and reducing maintenance requirements. Integration of self-healing mechanisms into 4D-printed structures allows robots to recover from damages and enhance durability. |
| Application of liquid crystals in robotics [106] | Investigation of liquid crystals, substances possessing properties of both liquids and crystalline solids. Research focuses on the isothermal cycles of specific metallic alloys, studying their behavior under different temperature and electric potential conditions, leading to improved understanding of their properties and applications in robotics. |
| Integration of biomimetic smart materials for sensing and feedback [106] | Incorporation of biomimetic materials for sensing and feedback mechanisms in robots, allowing them to interact with their environment more effectively. These materials enable the development of robots with enhanced perception capabilities, facilitating tasks such as object manipulation, navigation, and adaptive responses to external stimuli. |