Structured Locomotive Magnetic Soft Robots

ABSTRACT Locomotive magnetic soft robots have found broad applications in a variety of research fields, such as surgical instrumentation, drug delivery and physical rehabilitation, owing to their rapid responses, ease‐of‐control and excellent deformability. Many previous reviews have well addressed the material designs and fabrication methods of such branches of soft robots. Apart from the above, structural engineering also plays a vital role in their locomotion capabilities and operational contexts. Therefore, this review focuses on the structure‐induced locomotion modes of magnetic soft robots, and classifies them into one‐dimensional (1D), two‐dimensional (2D), three‐dimensional (3D) and fluid‐type, according to their structure features. Particularly, specific applications enabled by structure‐induced locomotion modes are summarized in detail, revealing closely correlated structure‐locomotion‐functionality relations. This review also concisely summarizes magnetic components and polymeric matrices used for locomotive magnetic soft robots, and introduces the mainstream fabrication methods, such as molding, additive manufacturing and micro‐assembly. Finally, the facing challenges in the relevant research field are discussed and future prospects are provided.