Venus flytrap

Researchers have developed a soft robotic material modelled on the Venus flytrap, which can sense nearby objects and then grasp them when triggered by light. The material combines sensing and actuation in one, allowing it to react to its environment without complex electronics. The work points to simpler, more responsive designs for soft robotics, prosthetics and automated gripping systems.

Researchers at KAIST in South Korea have developed a new material for robotic hands inspired by the Venus flytrap, which can sense objects and grasp them when stimulated by light. The biomimetic design is being reported by science news outlets, drawing attention for combining sensing and actuation in a single soft material that responds without complex electronics.