Smart Artificial Muscles and Sensors for Bio-Inspired Robotics

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the field of bio-inspired robotics has gained significant momentum, driven by the need for adaptable, compliant, and intelligent systems capable of safe interaction with complex environments and living organisms. Central to this advancement are smart artificial muscles and soft sensors, which enable biomimetic robots to replicate key characteristics of biological systems, such as flexibility, dexterity, proprioception, and environmental adaptability.

Smart artificial muscles, inspired by natural muscle tissue, include a diverse range of actuation technologies, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, and electroactive polymers and textile-based systems that mimic muscle-like contractions and force profiles. Similarly, bio-inspired soft sensors are engineered to detect strain, pressure, touch, temperature, and biological signals, thereby empowering robots with multimodal perception and closed-loop control.

The synergy between soft actuation and sensing forms the foundation for embodied intelligence, a hallmark of natural organisms and a cornerstone of next-generation biomimetic systems. This integration holds tremendous promise for applications in wearable biomedical devices, assistive technologies, surgical tools, environmental robotics, and adaptive locomotion systems inspired by animal and plant kingdoms.

1. Aim of the Special Issue

This Special Issue aims to showcase cutting-edge research on smart artificial muscles and sensors for bio-inspired robotics, with a particular emphasis on systems that emulate or are informed by biological principles. We seek to bring together interdisciplinary contributions at the intersection of materials science, robotics, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and biomimicry.

This Special Issue aligns with the core mission of Biomimetics, which is to promote biologically inspired design for sustainable and innovative technological solutions. Contributions should demonstrate how insights from living systems can be transferred to engineered applications, enhancing functionality, adaptability, and human interaction.

This Special Issue will serve as a curated collection of state-of-the-art developments in soft robotics, highlighting both foundational research and translational approaches aimed at real-world applications. It will appeal to academic researchers, clinicians, engineers, and industry professionals working on novel bio-inspired technologies.

2. Suggested Themes and Article Types

Key themes include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bio-inspired design of soft artificial muscles and actuators;
• Fluid-driven and textile-based actuation systems for robotics;
• Soft and stretchable sensors for proprioception and tactile feedback;
• Integration of actuation and sensing in soft robotic systems;
• Embodied intelligence and adaptive control in soft robotics;
• Robotic systems inspired by human musculoskeletal, insect, aquatic, or plant locomotion;
• Fabrication and characterization techniques for soft components (e.g., 3D printing, weaving, and molding);
• Multimaterial and multifunctional smart systems for biomedical and wearable devices;
• Nature-inspired robotic locomotion (crawling, swimming, and flying);
• Translational applications in rehabilitation, assistive robotics, surgery, and healthcare.

Types of submissions welcomed are as follows:

• Original research articles;
• Review articles;
• Perspectives or opinion papers;
• Methodological and technical notes;
• Case studies and application demonstrations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Phuoc Thien Phan
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Biomimetics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2200 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.

• soft robotics
• artificial muscles
• smart sensors
• bio-inspired actuation
• biomimetic design
• embodied intelligence
• textile-based actuators
• fluid-driven systems
• wearable robotics
• biomedical applications