Soft Robot Arms - Breakthrough Inventions for Delicate Tasks

Flexible robotic arms not only blur the line between robots and living creatures, but also promise a new future for scientific and technological applications.

In the world of science fiction, strong, sturdy steel robots often appear as the ideal model.

However, a new invention from Chinese scientists - a soft and flexible robotic arm - is gradually changing this concept.

 This soft arm strikes the ideal balance between flexibility and clamping force. (Source: Xinhua)

According to a report published in the journal Advanced Materials, a stunning video demonstration shows two soft, chopstick-sized strips of black silicon, controlled by magnetic fields with high precision, gentle enough to lift and transport a dandelion flower without damaging its delicate petals.

This is a breakthrough innovation from a research team at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) , where they combined magnetic particles in porous silicon material, creating a robotic arm that is both soft and sensitive.

With just a few tweaks, the device could have applications in a wide range of fields — from assisting in vitro fertilization to rescuing wildlife, according to the researchers.

Unlike traditional metal robot fingers that can exert too much pressure, this soft arm strikes the ideal balance between flexibility and gripping force , making it ideal for handling sensitive objects.

The USTC team overcame technical limitations by integrating magnetism into the porous structure of the material, giving the robotic arm both strength and flexibility.

This porous structure helps absorb energy, reducing the risk of damaging delicate objects, while increasing friction, improving stability and reliability when clamping.

In tests, the robotic arm successfully lifted awkward objects like a smooth goldfish and a shellless quail egg. Thanks to its remote control and easy integration with mobile devices, the arm can perform delicate medical operations such as handling cells, sperm, and tissues, playing an important role in reproductive research, regenerative medicine, and drug screening.

In addition, the robotic arm can also be compatible with drones, opening up the possibility of collecting specimens in the natural environment or rescuing small animals.

This flexible arm not only blurs the line between robots and living creatures, but also promises a new future for scientific and technological applications.