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Soft Robots Achieve Life-Like Motion with Light-Controlled Shape-Shifting

Researchers develop light-controlled soft robots using liquid crystal elastomers that achieve koala-like climbing and shape-shifting without motors. Published in Chinese Journal of Polymer Science.

This research represents a paradigm shift in soft robotics with far-reaching implications across multiple sectors. For healthcare, these light-controlled, motor-free systems could enable minimally invasive surgical tools that navigate the body with unprecedented precision while reducing tissue damage. In disaster response and industrial inspection, robots capable of climbing complex terrain and adapting their shape could access hazardous environments unreachable by conventional robots. The technology's remote operation capability eliminates the need for tethers or bulky power systems, potentially enabling autonomous exploration in space or deep-sea environments. For manufacturing and micromanipulation, the precise, contactless control offers new possibilities for handling delicate materials. Beyond specific applications, this work demonstrates how bioinspired design principles combined with advanced materials science can create systems that bridge the gap between biological adaptability and technological reliability—potentially leading to a new generation of robots that work alongside humans in dynamic, unstructured settings.