Real-time in situ magnetization reprogramming for soft robotics

Xianqiang Bao, Fan Wang, Jianhua Zhang, Mingtong Li, Shuaizhong Zhang, Ziyu Ren, Jiahe Liao, Yingbo Yan, Wenbin Kang, Rongjing Zhang, Zemin Liu, Tianlu Wang and Metin Sitti ()
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Xianqiang Bao: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Fan Wang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Jianhua Zhang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Mingtong Li: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Shuaizhong Zhang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Ziyu Ren: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Jiahe Liao: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Yingbo Yan: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Wenbin Kang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Rongjing Zhang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Zemin Liu: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Tianlu Wang: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems
Metin Sitti: Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems

Nature, 2025, vol. 645, issue 8080, 375-384

Abstract: Abstract Magnetic soft robots offer considerable potential across various scenarios, such as biomedical applications and industrial tasks, because of their shape programmability and reconfigurability, safe interaction and biocompatibility1–4. Despite recent advances, magnetic soft robots are still limited by the difficulties in reprogramming their required magnetization profiles in real time on the spot (in situ), which is essential for performing multiple functions or executing diverse tasks5,6. Here we introduce a method for real-time in situ magnetization reprogramming that enables the rearrangement and recombination of magnetic units to achieve diverse magnetization profiles. We explore the applications of this method in structures of varying dimensions, from one-dimensional tubes to three-dimensional frameworks, showcasing a diverse and expanded range of configurations and their deformations. This method also demonstrates versatility in diverse scenarios, including navigating around objects without undesired contact, reprogramming cilia arrays, managing multiple instruments cooperatively or independently under the same magnetic field, and manipulating objects of various shapes. These abilities extend the range of applications for magnetic actuation technologies. Furthermore, this method frees magnetic soft robots from the sole reliance on external magnetic fields for shape change, facilitating unprecedented modes and varieties of deformation while simultaneously reducing the need for complex magnetic field generation systems, thereby opening avenues for the development of magnetic actuation technologies.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09459-0

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