Recent Advances in Sensor–Actuator Hybrid Soft Systems: Core Advantages, Intelligent Applications, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

The growing demand for soft intelligent systems, which have the potential to be used in a variety of fields such as wearable technology and human‐robot interaction systems, has spurred the development of advanced soft transducers. Among soft systems, sensor–actuator hybrid systems are considered the most promising due to their effective and efficient performance, resulting from the synergistic and complementary interaction between their sensor and actuator components. Recent research on integrated sensor and actuator systems has resulted in a range of conceptual and practical soft systems. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in sensor and actuator integrated systems, which are grouped into three categories based on their primary functions: i) actuator–assisted sensors for intelligent detection, ii) sensor‐assisted actuators for intelligent movement, and iii) sensor‐actuator interactive devices for a hybrid of intelligent detection and movement. In addition, several bottlenecks in current studies are discussed, and prospective outlooks, including potential applications, are presented. This categorization and analysis will pave the way for the advancement and commercialization of sensor and actuator‐integrated systems.

Anisotropy in magnetic materials for sensors and actuators in soft robotic systems

“…A closed-loop control system with magnetic sensors and actuators allows the robot to autonomously adjust its activities based on sensory feedback. 13–15 Without sensory feedback, even minor variations in material properties or environmental factors can cause errors that disrupt the sequential actuation and hinder task completion. Nevertheless, traditional rigid, chip-type magnetic sensors encounter difficulties in delivering high-quality signals due to their inferior mechanical compliance with soft bodies.…”

An intelligent spinal soft robot with self-sensing adaptability

“…Soft robots are promising for agile locomotion and high-level intelligence like living creatures and have been developed in a wide range of applications, including human-machine and machine-environment interactions. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 It is worth noting that among living creatures, vertebrate animals not only feature highly developed muscular and skeletal systems but also an advanced central nervous system enclosed within the spines, which helps them to react very quickly to changes in their surroundings. This gives them a competitive edge compared to most invertebrates, which behave almost entirely by instinct and with little capability to learn from their mistakes.…”