Innovative Soft Material‐Assisted Robot Grasping Devices: From Design Concept to Fabrication and Application Scenarios

ABSTRACT Soft robotic grippers, a novel category of robotic arm end‐effectors, have garnered significant interest owing to their distinct characteristics: soft structure, flexibility, and robust adaptability. These features grant them immense potential for applications across various domains. This study delves into a range of driving mode, encompassing tendon‐driven, fluidic actuation, smart materials‐based actuation, chemical reactive actuation, and variable stiffness approaches, and thoroughly analyzes the characteristics of each. The design of soft robotic grippers frequently draws inspiration from natural and biological organisms, is bolstered by advancements in materials science, and leverages hyperelastic materials to enable versatile manipulation capabilities. In the fabrication of these grippers, materials such as hydrogels, liquid crystal elastomers, electroactive polymers, and shape‐memory alloys are routinely employed. Additionally, fabrication techniques, including mold casting and additive manufacturing, are comprehensively analyzed. The study discusses the expansive application prospects of soft robotic grippers in medical treatment, emergency rescue, agriculture, and industrial production, emphasizing their potential for cross‐domain utilization. Furthermore, the paper outlines potential avenues for advancing soft robotic grippers in grasping strategies, key fabrication processes, and expanding application scenarios, thereby offering valuable insights into the development of innovative soft robots tailored for multifield operations.