The codevelopment of soft robotics and assistive technology

• Science Robotics, Volume 11, Issue 111, February 2026.

Article Summaries:

• The February 2026 issue of Science Robotics presents a review of how soft‑robotic technologies are being co‑developed with assistive devices. The article outlines recent breakthroughs in compliant, bio‑inspired materials that enable lightweight, adaptable actuators for prosthetics, exoskeletons, and rehabilitation tools. It highlights interdisciplinary collaborations between robotics engineers, clinicians, and materials scientists that have produced prototypes capable of more natural, patient‑specific motion. The authors also discuss emerging control strategies-such as sensor‑feedback loops and machine‑learning algorithms-that improve device responsiveness and safety. Overall, the piece emphasizes that integrating soft‑robotics into assistive technology is accelerating the creation of more effective, user‑friendly solutions for mobility and daily living.

Sources:

• https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/scirobotics.aee0269?af=R