Thin flexible robot demonstrates inspection and machining on laboratory structures
What was demonstrated
The 970 μm-thick, 19.7 g robot used a two-degree-of-freedom electrostatic actuator and electrostatic adhesive feet. In laboratory tests it achieved 21.7 μm actuator repeatability, a maximum actuator speed of 290 mm/s and 1.07 N output force; robot demonstrations included carrying up to 4.06 times its own mass, inspection of a 7 mm-high gap, curved-surface grinding and microscale electrical-discharge machining. It also withstood an impact from a 3 kg weight.
Why it matters
A very thin flexible robot could reach constrained areas on large structures for inspection or local machining, although the demonstrations do not establish field readiness.
Caveats
- The system used external high-voltage supplies, control hardware and wires; onboard power and control were left for future work.
- Adhesion and locomotion depended on surface properties and degraded on dusty, porous, fibrous or rough materials.
- The paper reports laboratory prototype and task demonstrations, not routine maintenance in operational aircraft, ships or factories.
Technology profiles
Sources
- peer reviewed paper
A thin robot made of flexible electronics for in-situ machining and inspection of large structures
Huacen Wang, Yujin Dai, Ting Wang et al.. Nature Communications, 23 Jun 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-026-74548-1.
Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.