Dynamic Current Routing in Conductive Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Complex Deformation Actuators

ABSTRACT Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are a promising class of active materials for soft robotic actuation, capable of generating complex 3D deformations. Existing approaches to complex‐form actuation with LCEs have largely focused on either global stimulation to produce a single preprogrammed 3D shape or local stimulation using light‐controlled or multi‐circuitry methods to achieve multiple complex forms. However, these approaches have notable limitations: single‐shape actuation restricts operational capability; light‐actuated systems are hindered by occlusion and require non‐compliant, bulky components, compromising compactness, compliance, and mobility; and embedded circuitry designs increase fabrication complexity while limiting achievable deformation to the number of embedded circuits. Here, we present an electrically controlled actuation method, termed dynamic current routing, which employs a continuous, homogeneous conductive LCE surface to generate a large number of complex 3D deformations using only a few input electrodes. The system is fully compliant, compact, scalable, generalisable, and field‐programmable. The actuator's capabilities are demonstrated through multi‐gait, multi‐directional locomotion, highlighting the potential of multi‐complex deformation for soft robotics and wearables applications.