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Technology

Soft Robotics with Variable Stiffness Actuators

Quick fact

Some variable stiffness actuators can change their rigidity by over 100 times in a fraction of a second, using methods like granular jamming or phase-changing materials.

Why this is interesting

Imagine a robot that can be as soft as a marshmallow to pick up a grape, then stiffen like a steel grip to hold a heavy tool. How can a single robot switch between being squishy and rigid?