A joint research team has successfully developed a next-generation soft robot based on liquid. The research was
published in
Science Advances.
Biological cells possess the ability to deform, freely divide, fuse, and capture foreign substances. Research efforts have long been dedicated to replicating these unique capabilities in artificial systems. However, traditional solid-based robots have faced limitations in effectively mimicking the flexibility and functionality of living cells.
To overcome these challenges, the joint research team successfully developed a particle-armored liquid robot, encased in unusually dense hydrophobic (water-repelling) particles.
This novel next-generation soft robot benefits from both the exceptional deformability of liquid and the structural stability of solids. As a result, it can withstand extreme compression or high-impact drops, recovering its original shape like a droplet without breaking.
Leveraging these strengths, the joint research team led by Professor Ho-Young Kim from the Seoul National University College of Engineering's Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Similar to the liquid robot "T-1000" from the 1991 movie "Terminator 2," this innovative robot can pass through metal bars, capture and transport foreign substances, and merge with other liquid robots. Additionally, it can move freely across both surfaces of water and solid ground.