Soft Jellyfish-Bots Out-Swim Real Jellyfish

Engineering researchers at North Carolina State University  have developed jellyfish-inspired soft robots that can out-swim their real-life counterparts. These jellyfish-bots demonstrate a technique that uses pre-stressed polymers to make soft robots more powerful. The researchers also used the technique to create a speedy robot that curls its body and then jumps forward as it quickly releases its stored energy. Another usage of the technique is a three-pronged gripping robot that has its claw's default "resting" position clenched shut. Energy is required to open the grippers, but once they’re in position, the grippers return to their “resting” mode to hold their cargo tight.