Researchers at Caltech have unveiled AdaptBot, an innovative amphibious soft robot that can transform its shape in response to environmental stimuli. Utilizing light-driven artificial muscles and rapidly expanding hydrogels, AdaptBot demonstrates exceptional versatility, enabling it to transition effortlessly between land and water. This groundbreaking development showcases remarkable multi-modal movement capabilities, highlighting the potential for advanced robotics in diverse environments.
Special / Extreme Environments
Robot Manufacturer
Mobile Manipulator
Research Institute
Original from leaderobot.com: PNAS: This Soft Robot Transforms in Water, Boosting Swimming Speed by 780% and Capable of Rolling, Climbing, and Pulling Heavy Loads
PNAS: This Soft Robot Transforms in Water, Boosting Swimming Speed by 780% and Capable of Rolling, Climbing, and Pulling Heavy Loads
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RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
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DRT Co.,Ltd.
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korean drone manufacturer specializing in cleaning drones, defense drones, and drone software for safety-critical environments.
Easy Aerial
United States
US drone-in-a-box maker delivering NDAA-compliant tethered and free-flight autonomous UAS for defense, security, and critical infrastructure.
Eelume
Norway
Norwegian AUV startup offering snake-like autonomous underwater robots for subsea inspection, maintenance, and mine countermeasures.
SAISON ROBOT/LingYu Robotics 灵御智能
China
LingYu Robotics to Showcase Teleoperation and Embodied AI Solutions at Automate 2026 Subscribe for the Latest Automate Show Updates Copyright © 2013-2026 A3 Automate.
Yuanqi Innovation (Xiamen) Robot Co., Ltd. 元启创新（厦门）机器人有限公司
China
yuanqirobot.com resolves to a Xiamen-based robot company; directory lists it as Qingdao YuanQi Intelligent Robot Tech — city mismatch requires verification.
OM Robot Technology Co. Ltd. 东莞全向机械科技有限公司
China
Chinese manufacturer of mecanum wheels, omnidirectional wheel bases, and mobile robotic platforms for AGV applications.
MFR (Mobile Fulfillment Robotics) — Samsung C&T Venture
Korea, Republic of (South)
Samsung C&T robotics initiative for mobile fulfillment and autonomous delivery robots deployed in residential complexes and logistics sites in South Korea.
Baubot
Austria
Austrian startup founded 2017 in Vienna building modular mobile construction robots for on-site 3D printing, drilling, milling, and welding tasks.
Black-I Robotics, Inc.
United States
US robotics firm building AI-powered mobile heavy-lift AMRs for mixed-case palletizing in warehouses and distribution centers.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) 工業技術研究院
Taiwan
Taiwan's leading government-backed applied R&D institute driving industrial and robotics innovation.
Korea Aerospace Research Institute
Korea, Republic of (South)
South Korea's national government aerospace R&D institute leading space launch vehicles, satellite systems, UAVs, and aviation research.
MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute)
United States
US deep-sea research institute developing AUVs and ROVs for ocean exploration, including Ventana, Doc Ricketts, and Tethys.
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