A team of Penn State researchers has designed a soft robot that integrates malleable electronics and magnetic control to move precisely and safely in complex situations, such as searching for victims in debris and delivering medications inside the human body.
The soft robot with wireless guided movement
This device, composed of soft, magnetic materials distributed throughout its structure, is activated by external magnetic fields. This technology eliminates the need for batteries or cables , allowing it to be used in hard-to-reach spaces such as disaster zones or inside the body. With subtle adjustments to the field’s intensity and direction, researchers can make it bend, rotate, or move forward without losing stability.
Conventional systems also require constant monitoring, and this robot can detect changes in its environment , such as temperature, pressure, or pH. For example, this autonomy allows it to navigate through debris, identifying areas with human heat, or to navigate the digestive tract for diagnostic purposes.
The main challenge was balancing the rigidity of the electronic components with the softness of the robot’s body. The solution was to strategically distribute the circuits so as not to interfere with movement. Furthermore, protections against magnetic interference were implemented to ensure the system’s stability even under intense fields.
Potential uses include earthquake rescue operations, where the robot can crawl through crevices and detect vital signs. In the biomedical field , the goal is to create an ingestible version capable of monitoring internal parameters and delivering targeted medications, which could reduce the need for invasive procedures.
The development was funded by institutions such as the National Research Foundation of Korea and includes collaborations with Penn State, Korea University , and Samsung Electronics . The team, led by Professor Huanyu Cheng, hopes this technology will become a key tool for saving lives and facilitating early diagnosis of diseases.
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Source and photo: Pen State
