Soft Growing

Soft growing robots, inspired by plant growth, aim to create adaptable, mobile robots capable of navigating complex and confined environments. Current research focuses on developing control algorithms, such as deep reinforcement learning, to enable obstacle-aware navigation and efficient path planning, as well as designing improved actuators and body structures for enhanced maneuverability and payload capacity. These advancements are driven by the need for robots capable of operating in challenging terrains or performing tasks in inaccessible locations, with applications ranging from disaster relief to agricultural automation.