Light‐Driven Carbon‐Based Soft Materials: Principle, Robotization, and Application

Abstract Recently, the optical field driving mechanism is emerging in the manipulation of small‐scale soft robots due to its remote, wireless, and selective control capabilities. Among the light‐responsive materials, carbon has exhibited great potentials as light‐driven actuators due to its good light absorption ability, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. Taking advantage of the carbon materials, various carbon‐based actuators are reported with efficient, fast response, and stable actuating performance. Hence, carbon‐based actuators are widely applied in robotic applications controlled by external light irradiation. This review summarizes the principle actuating mechanism of carbon‐based actuators and focuses on the analysis of the robotization and application mechanisms. The locomotion implemented by the carbon‐based actuators is discussed by analyzing the robot structure designs and light exposing approaches, accompanied with corresponding force analysis. Moreover, various applications of carbon‐based actuators are reviewed with mechanism discussion. Furthermore, the challenges, including the perspectives of the robotization and applications of carbon‐based actuators, are discussed for further development and robotic utilization of carbon‐based materials.