Short Note: Soft Robotics

Soft robotics builds robots from flexible, compliant materials (silicone, elastomers, fabrics) that deform continuously, like an octopus arm.

• Actuation: pneumatic/fluidic chambers, tendons, shape memory alloys, electroactive polymers.
• Advantages: inherently safe around humans, conforms to object shape, simple gripping, low cost.
• Applications: soft grippers for fragile items, rehabilitation gloves, surgical tools, search and rescue.
• Challenges: hard to model and control, lower force and precision, limited durability.

Exam tip

4 to 5 crisp points with 2 applications are enough for a short note.