Magnetic soft robots: Design, actuation, and function

Driven by advances in soft material science, magnetic soft robots have recently attracted significant attention owing to their remarkable reprogramming deformations under magnetic fields, as well as having features distinct from those traditional rigid robots, including mechanical compliance, tether-free actuation, and biocompatibility. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art progress in magnetic soft materials and robots. First, we present a brief introduction to the recent design and fabrication of magnetic soft materials. Significant progress in magnetic soft robots with reconfigurable structures, innovative actuation technologies, corresponding simulation models, and their sophisticated functions are highlighted. Finally, we discuss promising research directions and the remaining challenges for the future development of magnetic soft robots.