New Challenges in Soft Robotics
A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Robotics and Automation".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 17
Special Issue Editors
Interests: soft robotics; soft actuators; finite element method; numerical simulations; smart materials; mechanical engineering; bioengineering; biomedical engineering; medical devices; microneedles; tissue engineering; 3D printing; 4D printing; additive manufacturi
Interests: robotics; trajectory planning; modeling of mechatronic systems
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, titled "New Challenges in Soft Robotics". Soft robotics is a rapidly evolving field that has enabled new applications in bioinspired actuation, adaptive manipulation, human–robot interaction, and medical robotics. Unlike traditional rigid robots, soft robotic systems use compliant and deformable materials to interact safely and adaptively with their environments. This makes them suitable for applications that require gentle handling, flexibility, and interaction with humans or delicate objects.
Despite recent advancements, the field continues to face several challenges. Developing materials that strike a balance between flexibility, strength, and durability remains a key challenge. Sensing mechanisms that provide accurate feedback and control are also needed to enhance performance and reliability. Moreover, modeling and simulating soft robotic systems can be complex due to their nonlinear and dynamic behavior. Real-world implementation often presents additional challenges related to robustness, energy efficiency, and long-term stability.
To address these issues, innovative approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration are essential. This Special Issue aims to present recent developments and address ongoing challenges in soft robotics. We welcome original research articles and reviews that offer new insights, propose practical solutions, or demonstrate applications in the field of study.
We welcome contributions on topics including, but not limited to:
- Advanced Materials and Fabrication Techniques: Soft and bioinspired materials for robotic applications.
- Actuation and Sensing Mechanisms: Improving performance with adaptive actuators and sensors.
- Modeling, Simulation, and Control Strategies: Techniques for accurate modeling and robust control of soft robots.
- AI and Machine Learning Approaches: Enhancing control, perception, and adaptation.
- Soft Robotic Manipulation and Locomotion: Systems capable of adaptive and flexible movements.
- Applications in Healthcare and Wearable Robotics: Innovations in rehabilitation and human–robot interaction.
- Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Designs: Improving energy utilization and sustainability.
- Integration with Emerging Technologies: Combining soft robotics with biohybrid systems or swarm robotics.
Dr. Majid Shabani
Prof. Dr. Alessandro Gasparetto
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- soft robotics
- bioinspired robotics
- soft actuators
- soft sensors
- compliant mechanisms
- robotic materials
- adaptive control
- intelligent soft systems
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