A continuum robot inspired by elephant trunks

https://techxplore.com/news/2023-01-continuum-robot-elephant-trunks.html

"pre-programmable stiffness distribution... various deformation patterns and ability to move through pipelines with varying curvatures... class-3 tensegrity structure, elastic elements evenly distributed... program local stiffness characteristics by replacing elastic elements with others that have different stiffness magnitudes... prototype robot of 12 elastic modules... simultaneously support different functions through the installation of diverse end effectors, such as grippers and sensors"

Related:

A smart elastomer that can self-tune its stiffness and conductivity

https://phys.org/news/2023-01-smart-elastomer-self-tune-stiffness.html

Introducing the trimmed helicoid, a soft robot arm that's based on an elephant's trunk

https://techxplore.com/news/2023-10-trimmed-helicoid-soft-robot-arm.html