Mathematical modeling, analysis and control in soft robotics: a survey

Abstract

This paper reviews some recent advances in mathematical modeling, analysis and control, both from the theoretical and numerical viewpoints, in the emergent field of soft robotics. The presentation is not focused on specific prototypes of soft robots, but in a more general description of soft smart materials. The goal is to provide a unified and rigorous mathematical approach to open-loop control strategies for soft materials that hopefully might lay the seeds for future research in this field.