Vine Robot

Vine robots are soft, inflatable robots inspired by plant growth, designed to navigate confined and cluttered spaces inaccessible to traditional robots. Current research focuses on improving steering mechanisms, often employing magnetic actuation or segmented pneumatic actuators, and developing accurate models to predict robot behavior under various conditions, including self-weight collapse. These advancements are significant for applications in search and rescue, endoluminal procedures, and nuclear decontamination, offering unique capabilities for exploration and manipulation in challenging environments.