Now, a Robot That Needs No Battery

                In a first, scientists have created a 3D-printed, octopus-like robot made of soft components and is powered by chemical reactions instead of rigid batteries and circuit boards. The robot, nicknamed Octobot, could pave the way for soft robotics. Electricity and control systems – such as batteries and circuit boards – are rigid and until now soft-bodied robots have been either tethered to an off-board system or rigged with hard components. Through researchers hybrid assembly approach, they were able to 3D print each of the functional components required within the soft robot body, including the fuel storage, power and actuation, in a rapid manner. Octopuses have long been a source of inspiration in soft robotic as they can perform incredible feats of strength and dexterity with no internal skeleton.