Review and Proposal for a Classification System of Soft Robots Inspired by Animal Morphology

Biomimetics (Basel). 2023 May 4;8(2):192. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics8020192.

Abstract

The aim of this article is to propose a bio-inspired morphological classification for soft robots based on an extended review process. The morphology of living beings that inspire soft robotics was analyzed; we found coincidences between animal kingdom morphological structures and soft robot structures. A classification is proposed and depicted through experiments. Additionally, many soft robot platforms present in the literature are classified using it. This classification allows for order and coherence in the area of soft robotics and provides enough freedom to expand soft robotics research.

Keywords: animal morphology; bioinspiration; classification; soft robotics.