Soft robot crawls, climbs, and morphs with single air input for versatile mobility

Researchers at Seoul National University have developed a versatile soft robot that can crawl, climb, and rapidly change shape using a single air input. The robot employs a Snap Inflatable Modular Metastructure (SIMM) inspired by origami, enabling programmable deformation through folding patterns. This design simplifies soft robotics while expanding potential applications in fields like minimally invasive surgery and search and rescue. By reducing rigid components, the robot achieves greater adaptability and mobility in diverse environments.