Could this simple robot outmaneuver a human hand?
Study shows that a basic machine mimicking fundamental motions can reliably operate beyond the level of a human hand
Wiley
The human hand is a dexterous and versatile machine. Scientists have conventionally tried to replicate these traits in robots by copying the biological mechanics of the hand, resulting in complex and difficult-to-control structures. An alternative solution to these challenges was proposed in a new study, published by Wiley in Advanced Science: The BioflexBot, a novel robot that mimics and even exceeds core motions of the hand with a simple design.
Instead of creating a robotic hand with the intricate anatomy of a human hand, the researchers aimed to capture fundamental hand motions with a coiled spring, constraining shell, and basic pneumatic system, using compressed air to control mechanical action. Optimized for precision and range of mobility, the BioflexBot can pinch, rotate, hook, and grasp with just two pneumatic inputs.
The researchers validated that the BioflexBot could replicate these foundational hand motions. To simulate pinching, the BioflexBot successfully manipulated an acupuncture needle and reliably transported liquid using a pipette, completing delicate tasks common in healthcare or laboratory settings. The BioflexBot rotated a bottle cap, rotating almost four times more than a human hand’s capability. The researchers showed that the BioflexBot could hook objects such as a toolbox and goggles. Finally, they found that the BioflexBot could securely grasp objects of varying sizes, up to almost 13 times bigger than similar systems.
Beyond reliably mimicking traditional hand motions, the BioflexBot exceeds human hand performance, extending and contracting 3.5 times more than the human hand. Therefore, the BioflexBot can grasp complex objects, reach long distances, deliver objects in confined spaces, and transport multiple objects sequentially. The researchers demonstrated three potential applications for the BioflexBot: inspecting aeroengine blades, completing daily tasks integrated with a humanoid robot, and conducting a chemistry experiment.
These findings suggest that the simple design of the BioflexBot can result in high dexterity at extremely low costs with applications across industries. Future work will translate the prototype to a fully automated platform.
“By harnessing structural and physical intelligence, we pursued a simple design capable of both cross-scale grasping and complex human-like manipulation,” said senior author Yingtian Li, PhD, currently of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen. “Unlike most robotic hands that replicate the human form, at high hardware and control costs, our approach focuses solely on mimicking the functions, not the shape,” said senior author Yang Yang, PhD, of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.
Additional information
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Full Citation:
“A Bio-Functional Mimetic Robot for Versatile Tasks from Cross-Scale Manipulation to Limb-Tool Integration.” Xin Tong, Tianle Zhang, Fei Mo, Qian Zhao, Zhongqing Sun, Yongkang Jiang, Yang Yang, and Yingtian Li. Advanced Science; Published Online: August 13, 2026 (DOI: 10.1002/advs.76527).
URL Upon Publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/advs.76527
Author Contact: Corresponding authors Yang Yang at meyang@nuist.edu.cn or Yingtian Li at liyingtiantj@gmail.com
About the Journal
Advanced Science is a premier interdisciplinary open access journal covering fundamental and applied research across a broad range of fields, including materials science and chemistry, physics and engineering, life and health sciences, earth and environmental sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities. Advanced Science publishes cutting-edge research through rigorous, efficient, and fair review process, ensuring fast publication with high quality standards and an exceptional author experience. Advanced Science is the flagship journal of Wiley’s Advanced Portfolio: a family of globally respected, high-impact journals that disseminate the best science from well-established and emerging researchers so they can fulfill their mission and maximize the reach of their scientific discoveries.
About Wiley
Wiley is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Journal
Advanced Science
Article Title
A Bio-Functional Mimetic Robot for Versatile Tasks from Cross-Scale Manipulation to Limb-Tool Integration
Article Publication Date
13-Aug-2026
Inspired by butterflies: smart propulsion for the robots of the future
Universitaet Stuttgart
image:
Scanning electron microscope images of the cross-section of a ceramic microscroll (2 × 25 mm). The images reveal the hierarchical multilayer architecture of the microscroll together with the magnetic nanoparticles embedded within the ceramic structure.
view moreCredit: Copyright: University of Stuttgart / Institute for Materials Science.
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research have developed tiny rolls that can be unrolled and rolled up in a controlled manner using a magnet. The model for this was the proboscis of butterflies. These smart materials enable the development of more efficient drive technologies for micro- and soft robotics, a field of research of great economic importance. The results have been published in the journal Advanced Materials.
New robotic systems are increasingly making headlines: Microrobots are extremely small robots with potential applications in fields such as medicine and industry. At the same time, the field of soft robotics – which relies on flexible, adaptable materials – is advancing to make robots more adaptable and safer. Just as in (macroscopic) robotics, actuators must also control movements or grippers in micro- and soft robotics. However, because the overall systems in microrobotics are much smaller and, in soft robotics, must be elastically formable, this creates entirely new requirements for the components of such a system. These requirements can often only be met by using new materials. This is where the team led by Dr. Zaklina Burghard, group leader at the Institute for Materials Science at the University of Stuttgart, stepped in.
“Micro- and soft robotics require actuators that enable robotic systems to grasp, move, and interact with their environment,” says Burghard. “We did not simply develop another actuator. We created a manufacturing platform that transforms ultrathin functional films into programmable three-dimensional ceramic microscrolls within seconds. These microscrolls serve as compact actuation elements for future robotic systems.” The technology platform is the latest outcome of Burghard’s long-standing research into bio-inspired ceramic material systems.
Inspired by the butterfly proboscis
The butterfly did not inspire the biological function of the actuator, but the elegant rolling and unrolling motion of its proboscis. This characteristic movement became the starting point for developing the new ceramic microscrolls. Researchers fabricated ultrathin vanadium pentoxide films containing magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and transformed them into three-dimensional microscrolls using a simple mechanical process.
To fabricate the microscrolls, the ultrathin ceramic films are gently peeled from their substrate with a razor blade. Acting much like a miniature woodworking plane, the blade continuously bends the released film, causing it to roll into a tightly wound microscroll within seconds. Bringing a magnet close to the microscroll causes it to rapidly unroll; removing the magnetic field allows it to roll back again.
Unlike conventional ceramics, these ultrathin films are not brittle but flexible. Their unusual mechanical behavior arises from a bio-inspired hierarchical nano- and microstructure, which enables elastic deformation while preserving the structural integrity of the ceramic material.
Tiny ceramic microscrolls lift more than 30 times their own weight
The researchers have produced rolls that are a few micrometers wide and, when coiled, have a diameter of only a few hundred micrometers. When rolled out, they are up to 25 mm long. In experiments, the rollers have proven to be very durable: Even after 5,000 cycles, they still work perfectly. The ceramic micro-rollers are capable of moving more than 30 times their own weight. ““The microscrolls can also be arranged into programmable arrays,” says Burghard. “This allows multiple actuators to operate simultaneously and perform coordinated tasks such as lifting, transporting, or manipulating microscopic objects.”
Vanadium pentoxide was selected as the model material because it has been at the center of Burghard's research for many years and provided the ideal foundation for developing the new manufacturing platform.
„For me, the actuator is only the beginning,” says Burghard. “The real innovation is the scrolling platform itself. It can be transferred to many different organic and inorganic thin-film materials, opening the door to entirely new programmable microsystems.” Beyond micro- and soft robotics, the platform could enable future electronic components, sensors, energy-storage devices, and other multifunctional microsystems tailored to specific applications.
Nature as a blueprint for future materials
The development of the magnetic ceramic microscrolls began within a DFG-funded research project led by Burghard. As part of this project, Semi Kim carried out the first experimental studies during her master's thesis in 2023, laying the foundation for the present study. Building on these initial results, the research team further expanded and refined the concept.
The research is carried out in the Department of Bioinspired Materials at the Institute for Materials Science. “In our department, we combine nature as a source of inspiration with modern materials science. Students learn how principles from physics, chemistry, computational modelling, and bio-inspired materials design are integrated to develop the next generation of functional materials and programmable microsystems. This unique interdisciplinary approach is reflected directly in our research,” says Burghard. “Our work brings together bio-inspired concepts, ceramic nanomaterials, magnetic functionality, mechanics, and advanced manufacturing into a single platform for the programmable microsystems of the future.”
About the publication:
Semi Kim, Shravan R. Kousik, Petia Atanasova, Eberhard Goering, Joachim Bill, Zaklina Burghard: Mechanically Assisted Magnetic Actuation in Ceramic-Based Microscrolls for Fast and Durable Soft Robotic Systems, Advanced Materials, http://doi.org/10.1002/adma.74544
Journal
Advanced Materials
Article Title
Mechanically Assisted Magnetic Actuation in Ceramic-Based Microscrolls for Fast and Durable Soft Robotic Systems
Article Publication Date
8-Aug-2026
Magnetic actuation of a programmable ceramic microscroll. As a magnet approaches, the microscroll rapidly unrolls within milliseconds; when the magnet is removed, it autonomously rolls back into its original spiral geometry, completing a full actuation cycle in approximately 150 milliseconds.
The video demonstrates the actuation principle of programmable ceramic microscrolls. [VIDEO]
The video demonstrates the actuation principle of programmable ceramic microscrolls. Driven by a magnetic field, the microscrolls rapidly unroll while lifting a load more than 30 times their own weight before autonomously rolling back, demonstrating their potential as miniature actuators for future micro- and soft robotic systems.
Credit
Copyright: University of Stuttgart / Institute for Materials Science.
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