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?