Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed the first soft robots capable of walking immediately after being produced by a 3D printer. These four-legged, palm-sized devices, made entirely of soft plastic and powered by compressed air, could herald a new generation of intelligent, electronics-free robotic systems. The innovation holds significant promise for sectors such as nuclear decommissioning, healthcare, and even space exploration.
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Soft robotics – which relies on flexible, compliant materials – has long been hindered by complex, costly manufacturing requirements and a lack of standardised processes. Seeking to overcome these barriers, the Edinburgh team created a low-cost, desktop 3D printer called the Flex Printer. The system can be built for under £400 using readily available parts and is designed for ease of use, allowing even beginners to start building functional robots within days.
Once printed, the robots are hooked up to an air supply and are able to walk straight off the printing bed without requiring any additional assembly or electronics. The simplicity of this process opens the door to wider use and experimentation, as the team has made their designs freely accessible to encourage innovation and collaboration in the field.
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The research, led by PhD students Maks Gepner and Jonah Mack, and overseen by Professor Adam A. Stokes, was published in Device, a journal under the Cell Press umbrella. Funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the project aims to democratise soft robotics. “This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike,” said Gepner. “We believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact.”
