Triboelectric self-powered soft robotics: paving the way towards a sustainable future

Abstract

The integration of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) into soft robotic systems marks a significant advancement toward autonomous, self-powered, and environmentally responsive machines. TENGs offer lightweight, flexible structures capable of efficiently converting mechanical energy into electricity, supporting both on-board power generation and active sensing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in TENG-powered soft robotics, emphasizing developments in actuation, sensing, locomotion, and intelligent interaction. Notable systems include freestanding-mode TENG-Bots, tribo-piezoelectric soft grippers, somatosensory fingers, light-responsive actuators, and electrohydrodynamic pumps each demonstrating TENGs' dual role as energy sources and control elements. Bioinspired designs, such as leech-like and star-nosed mole-inspired robots, further illustrate their potential in adaptive locomotion and nonvisual spatial perception. The integration of TENGs with soft materials and intelligent feedback architectures enables untethered, multifunctional robotic platforms with applications ranging from wearable electronics and human-machine interfaces to environmental exploration. This review also discusses current limitations, including low energy output, durability challenges, and system-level integration, while outlining future research directions in material optimization, energy storage, wireless control, and machine learning-enhanced perception. Collectively, these developments underscore the transformative impact of TENGs on the future of intelligent soft robotics.