Materials challenges for powering miniature bioinspired robots

To power miniature mobile robots, the body structure must integrate actuators, sensing, wiring, an energy source, power converters, and computing. The system-level performance relies on the interplay among these complementary elements and the fabrication technologies that enable them. While new materials, fabrication, and bioinspired designs are enabling advancements toward insect-scale untethered and autonomous robots, challenges remain in achieving high power efficiency fast actuation and heterogeneous integration. This article overviews the state of the art, opportunities, and challenges covered in this issue of MRS Bulletin.