A Bio-Inspired Light-Driven Soft Climbing Robot with Capabilities of Rapid Locomotion, Cargo Transport, and Direction Turning

This work presents a light-driving climbing soft robot capable of generating rapid locomotion, turning directions, and carrying considerable loads. The proposed device is made of Liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) coated with an efficient photothermal film (PTF). The proposed LCE device consists of two small front legs, two large rear legs, and a cargo platform connecting the legs. The device locomotion, which is inspired by the principle of snake rectilinear movement, is generated by activating the rear legs with periodic near infrared illumination. The device’s capabilities of rapid locomotion, turning directions, and carrying considerable loads were demonstrated. The speed of the device, which exceeds 2 body lengths per minute, is the fastest measured among published light-driven LCE-based climbing devices.