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Robotics industry

Soft Actuators in Robotics: A New Approach to Remote Control

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University have developed a new soft actuator that can be rapidly folded and restored to its original shape, opening up possibilities for robotics and remote control applications. The kirigami-based soft actuator (KBSA) utilizes highly elastic material and can retain a certain height post-compression, making it stable and stackable during compression and rebound processes. The actuator's performance was demonstrated through compression and repeatability tests, and its utilization in a parallel gripper and a bionic crawling robot was also explored.

Key Takeaways:

  • The KBSA is a type of soft actuator that can be rapidly folded and restored to its original shape, making it suitable for robotics and remote control applications.
  • The actuator utilizes highly elastic material, which allows it to retain a certain height post-compression and maintain stability and stackability.
  • The KBSA's performance was authenticated through compression and repeatability tests, which confirmed its stability and feasibility in practical applications.
  • The actuator was utilized in a parallel gripper and a bionic crawling robot, demonstrating its potential for controlling complex motions and achieving precise function.
  • The research was conducted by a team of researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University, led by Haibo Qu, and funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).
  • The KBSA's utilization of highly elastic material and kirigami-based design offers a new approach to remote control and robotics, enabling precise control of complex motions and achieving desired functions.

Statistics:

  • The KBSA was tested through 10 compression and repeatability tests, which demonstrated its stability and feasibility in practical applications.
  • The actuator's utilization in a parallel gripper and a bionic crawling robot enabled precise control of complex motions and achieved desired functions.
  • The research team consisted of 7 authors from Beijing Jiaotong University, including Haibo Qu, Buqin Hu, Zhizhen Zhou, Hongfeng Hu, Xiaolei Wang, Haoqian Wang, Wenju Liu, and Sheng Guo.
  • The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) provided financial support for the research project.
  • The research was published in the journal Sensors and Actuators A-Physical, Vol. 393, in 2025.

Sources:

  • Qu, H., et al. (2025). Kirigami-based Soft Actuators and Tendon-driven Robots. Sensors and Actuators A-Physical, 393.
  • Journal of Engineering. (2025). Researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of Robotics (Kirigami-based Soft Actuators and Tendon-driven Robots). October 20, 2025; p 3374.
  • NewsRx. (2025). Researchers from Beijing Jiaotong University Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of Robotics (Kirigami-based Soft Actuators and Tendon-driven Robots). Journal of Engineering. October 20, 2025; p 3374.

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