Soft microrobotics

In the last few decades, the highly multisciplinary field of microrobotics has seen important developments. Among the most significant landmarks in the field is the introduction of soft materials in the microfabrication of untethered devices. Novel functionalities and actuation strategies have been implemented thanks to the use of soft and smart materials. In this context, it is useful to take stock of the current situation of soft microrobotics to provide a complete overview of the field. The present chapter describes materials, fabrication techniques, actuation strategies and applications of microrobots fabricated of soft materials. Finally, we also focus on some peculiar types of materials such as biological structures and hard-soft hybrids.