Pressure-free growing robots for soft medical robotics

Researchers at the University of Leeds won the Best Paper Award at RoboSoft 2026 for developing a 1.8 mm soft growing robot that operates without internal air pressure. The robot uses magnetic particles embedded in its silicone body to achieve simultaneous steering and real-time shape sensing at up to 500 Hz. Unlike earlier pressure-driven vine robots, this design eliminates the risk of air leaks in fluid-filled anatomical spaces such as near the spine or inside blood vessels. The robot demonstrated retroflexion and biome sampling in an ex vivo stomach model, showing it can perform clinically relevant endoscopic maneuvers. Near-term goals include pre-clinical safety and biocompatibility testing, with longer-term interest in neural and spinal electrode placement applications.

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