Soft robotics refers to the coupling of soft material with the force-generating capabilities of rigid structures. These robots have a wide range of uses, including being used in archaeological exploration (e.g., exploring Peruvian ruins) and environmental monitoring (e.g., inspecting salamander habitats). Cameras and sensors placed at the robot’s tip can further enable real-time environmental feedback, enabling autonomous navigation and manipulation using techniques such as reinforcement learning.
On 18 March 2025, the AI for Good platform conducted a webinar with Dr. Allison Okamura, the Richard W. Weiland Professor of Engineering at Stanford University and a founding member of the Stanford Robotics Center. A major breakthrough presented in the webinar was the development of a patient-specific concentric tube robot - a semi-soft, pre-shaped nitinol system designed for minimally invasive surgery. This device outperforms traditional rigid surgical robots by successfully navigating complex anatomies with sub-millimeter precision.
The webinar also introduced novel fabrication techniques, such as ultrasonic welding of thermoplastic polyurethane fabric to create strong yet flexible pneumatic actuators capable of significant elongation via tip eversion. One of the main innovations was the “vine robot” - a pneumatically actuated, everting structure with 2D and 3D steering capabilities and the ability to grow autonomously. The webinar also featured soft haptic technologies, such as 3D-printed pneumatic wearables, which give realistic tactile feedback for teleoperation and social interaction while addressing power efficiency and sensor integration challenges. These improvements showcase the unique ability of soft robots to bridge the gap between rigid and fully soft systems. They also address critical concerns such as material durability, autonomy in unstructured environments and the scalability of pneumatic systems. Looking ahead, researchers are investigating 3D-printed multifunctional materials and AI-driven control systems. The webinar concluded by underlining how soft robotics may help democratize access to key technologies by using low-cost, bioinspired designs.
This case study is an excerpt from the AI for Good flagship report produced by UNU-CPR, Unlocking AI's Potential to Serve Humanity.
