LAUSR

Significance Soft microrobots that can climb in open, unstructured environment have crucial applications in exploration and monitoring. Small-scale soft actuators with complex, large, customized 3D-to-3D shape morphing capability could equip soft microrobots with enriched locomotion modes and functionalities. Here, we present design strategies and fabrication techniques of voltage-driven 3D soft actuators that can reversibly morph between different configurations at small scales. These developments provide routes to soft microrobots that can change their 3D shapes on demand. A soft microrobot capable of both climbing on flat and curved surfaces and transitioning between different surfaces is demonstrated. This microrobot can carry an integrated microcamera for navigation, while surviving extreme compression and climbing bamboo/leaf, indicating promising potential in practical applications.