Review of light-driven soft robotics: Materials, fabrication, modulation and applications

Compared with conventional rigid robots, soft robots offer superior environmental adaptability and safer human–robot interaction. Light-driven soft robots have attracted increasing attention because of their remote controllability, non-contact actuation, and miniaturization potential. This review systematically classifies light-responsive materials according to their response mechanisms and summarizes their actuation characteristics. Recent advances in fabrication technologies and light-field regulation strategies are also reviewed to provide an integrated perspective on the design and control of light-driven soft robots. Representative applications, including biomimetic locomotion and biomedical systems, are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities are highlighted, focusing on advanced light-responsive materials, biosafety and clinical translation, and multifunctional system integration. This review provides an updated reference for the development of next-generation light-driven soft robots.