Feasibility Study on Botanical Robotics: Ophiocordyceps-like Biodegradable Laminated Foam-Based Soft Actuators With Germination Ability

Robotic systems are used in various fields, including environmental exploration and conservation. It may be difficult to retrieve these robots or more cost-effective to discard them after achieving their purpose. Discarding such robots could pose a threat to the environment, especially if they are composed of plastics and metals. Therefore, various motion-producing biodegradable materials and actuators are being researched and developed. However, once biodegradable robots have achieved its purpose, it becomes passive and awaits microbial degradation. In this study, a biodegradable laminated foam-based soft actuator with self-germination ability was developed and its feasibility to return to nature by controlling the rate of degradation was ascertained. Our results indicate that after the actuator achieved its goal, it self-destructed and self-germinated, which confirms its active biodegrading capability through actuation and germination to enter the natural cycle.