Abstract
Technology disposal poses increasing pressure on the environment, society and economy. Scientists and engineers are seeking sustainable alternative solutions to meet these challenges, for example, through the development of sustainable soft robotics. Compared to conventional robotics, sustainable soft robotics can degrade into nothing at the end of their functional lives, leaving zero footprint in their surrounding environment. This is of paramount importance, especially in the push toward the ubiquity of robotic technology through advanced design and manufacturing techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM) describes the creation of 3D objects through the consecutive addition of material layers, enabling the fast prototyping of complex structures and devices, thereby reducing the financial and temporal cost in advanced robot development. The marriage of smart materials and AM can significantly promote the advancement of sustainable soft robotics technologies. In this roadmap, leading experts overview the status and development of sustainable soft robotics and provide insights into the exciting challenges and potential opportunities of sustainable actuators and sensors, AM technologies, functional materials, and robotic components across a wide range of application fields. This roadmap also serves as a vital compass for experts and enthusiasts in the field of sustainable soft robotics.
