Modulus‐Switchable Miniature Robots for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Abstract

Miniature soft robots have shown great potential in biomedical applications due to their excellent controllability and suitable mechanical properties in biological environments. They can access hard‐to‐reach areas to perform tasks, such as targeted delivery, biopsy, and in situ sensing. However, their construction from soft materials with a constant modulus limits their ability to generate sufficient force for more complex tasks. Modulus‐switchable robots that can alter their modulus in response to external stimuli present a viable approach to addressing this limitation. In this review, we summarized the recent advancements of modulus‐switchable miniature robots. The materials composing the robots that can switch modulus triggered by different external stimuli were introduced, and the corresponding functional achievements of these robots were summarized. Furthermore, we introduced biomedical applications of modulus‐switchable robots, including target drug delivery, microsurgeries, and sensing. Despite these advances, challenges remain in clinical translation. Finally, we propose our perspective on the possible developments of modulus‐switchable robots and the challenges that may be encountered in clinical translation.