The regular changes in the prototype's structure, where the original size and shape is retained after contact forces have been removed.

The authors prove the soft robot's robustness by highlighting its ability to remain functional after withstanding a significant weight. This achievement can be attributed to the prototype's deformable body.

Prior studies conducted by Pierre et al. have embedded permanent magnets into the soft robot that allow for the generation of a magnetic field. This actuation method allows for faster movement.

Rafsanjani et al. utilized Japanese paper folding techniques to create a soft robot mimicking the crawling motion of a snake.

The adhesive silicone and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate attributes to the deformable body of the soft robot.

This insect-scale soft robot prototype is built using a curved piezoelectric PVDF unimorph structure that flexes when voltage is applied to it, creating forward movement of the robot. The polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), a piezoelectric material, periodically bends when driven with AC voltage.

Here, the authors designed an insect-scale soft ground robot based on piezoelectric actuation that achieved the fastest speed (20 body lengths per second) reported up to date.

Because of its strength and flexibility, this robot can be used in search and rescue response. For example, the robot could crawl through the rubble of a collapsed building to locate survivors. In addition to disaster relief, the robot can also be used in environmental exploration.

To read about potential applications of soft robots: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fang-needles-quantum-carpets-and-tender-robot-touches-the-weeks-best-science-gifs/ https://www.science.org/content/article/watch-human-try-crush-cockroach-inspired-robot-and-fail

Improvements of soft robot agility and efficiency could enable various applications. For instance, adding gas sensors and improving the maneuverability could allow for utilization of this robot in search and rescue, and biodefense applications.

Read the article here: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/science-technology/new-insect-sized-robot-can-withstand-weight-of-a-human-811293

By studying asynchronous flight systems in flies, Dickinson and Tu concluded that the resonant properties of the thorax (the midsection of an insect) determine the contraction frequency of the muscles.

Hu et al have embedded permanent magnets into the soft robot that allow for the generation of a magnetic field. This actuation method allows for faster movement, but Hu's top speed (213 mm/s) is still one-fourth of the top speed reported for the presented robot.

On a larger scale, researchers like Haldane et al. have chosen a small primate, galagos, as their model animal which is known for having the highest vertical jumping ability.

Aguilar et. al define "robophysics" as the pursuit of principles of self-generated motion.

In their research, Damme and Van Dooren use computer simulations to investigate a mouse's chance to escape predation by varying speed and body size. The authors conclude that relative speed (body lengths per second) is a more "ecologically relevant trait" because it better predicts the prey's ability to escape predators. This notion opposes previously published research, which considered absolute speed (meters per second) as the main predictor for prey vulnerability.

The authors continue to demonstrate the soft robot's agility by applying a realistic insect movement pattern.

Previous studies have utilized PVDF films for various soft robot applications to lower driving voltage, increase actuation motion and improve moving speed.

The force that acts in the direction parallel to ground, with varying magnitudes in different directions.

The lowest frequency at which a system oscillates (displays distinct periodic patterns of motion).

The authors chose a 90º bending angle for the front leg to optimize the forward moving speed of the robot.

The point within an object at which the whole mass may be considered as concentrated. Here, the authors tracked the center of mass (COM) motion to represent the motion of the entire robot.

By studying asynchronous flight systems in flies, Dickinson and Tu concluded that the resonant properties of the thorax (the midsection of an insect) determine the contraction frequency of the muscles.

At resonant frequency, the circuit exhibits a maximum oscillatory, or regularly varying, response at a specific frequency (the number of times the AC switches between positive and negative in 1 second).

Despite bearing six times its weight, the prototype is able to maintain locomotion control, demonstrating its agility.

SEM is an instrument that produces a largely magnified image by using electrons instead of light to form an image.

A programming language that is primarily used for numerical computation as well as computational modeling, simulation, and prototyping.

The force that opposes gravity because it is exerted by the ground onto a body that is in contact with the ground.

Both the front- and back-legs making contact with the ground

A soft, highly stretchable plastic, which most plastic bottles are made of.

A pressure sensitive substance that can change shape in order to seal gaps in materials.

A polymeric material that has high piezoelectric coefficient, good stability and flexibility. This material is commonly used in soft actuators.

Designing soft robots capable of carrying large weights has been challenging so far because of their lack of rigid structures.

The ability to withstand rigorous testing and maintain its original condition.

A subset of the robotics field that primarily aims to mimic body motion of living organisms using soft materials.

A machine that causes motion or power (i.e. pushes, pulls, or rotates).

A classification of the animal kingdom that encompasses organisms that have an exoskeleton, a segmented body, and jointed appendages (i.e. insects, crustaceans, arachnids, centipedes).

In this study, Full and Tu used a miniature force platform to measure the ground reaction forces of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. Using this method, the authors observed varying types of cockroach locomotion which they described as a bouncing gait, switching from quadrupedal and bipedal running.

Aguilar et. al define "robophysics" as the pursuit of principles of self-generated motion.