Soft robotics towards sustainable development goals and climate actions

Abstract

Soft robotics technology can aid in achieving United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement through development of autonomous, environmentally responsible machines powered by renewable energy. By utilizing soft robotics, we can mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change on human society and the natural world through fostering adaptation, restoration, and remediation. Moreover, the implementation of soft robotics can lead to groundbreaking discoveries in material science, biology, control systems, energy efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing processes. However, to achieve these goals, we need further improvements in understanding biological principles at the basis of embodied and physical intelligence, environment-friendly materials, and energy-saving strategies to design and manufacture self-piloting and field-ready soft robots. This paper provides insights on how soft robotics can address the pressing issue of environmental sustainability. Sustainable manufacturing of soft robots at a large scale, exploring the potential of biodegradable and bioinspired materials, and integrating onboard renewable energy sources to promote autonomy and intelligence are some of the urgent challenges of this field that we discuss in this paper. Specifically, we will present field-ready soft robots that address targeted productive applications in urban farming, healthcare, land and ocean preservation, disaster remediation, and clean and affordable energy, thus supporting some of the SDGs. By embracing soft robotics as a solution, we can concretely support economic growth and sustainable industry, drive solutions for environment protection and clean energy, and improve overall health and well-being.

Sustainable Robots 4D Printing

“…In terrestrial ecosystems, there is a very high risk of extinction for 3 to 14 percent of species at 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming and up to 48% at 5 °C of warming, according to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from 2022. [ 7 ] Figure illustrates how the fabrication of biodegradable soft robotics using sustainable manufacturing techniques like 3D printing technologies is in line with the UN's sustainable development goals and will result in a circular economy that will minimize energy use, waste, and human impact. In addition, the biodegradability of these soft robots is a significant factor that contributes to the eco‐friendliness of the devices.…”