Inspired by nature, Professor Iain Anderson and his team have created the world’s first and only crawling robotic caterpillar that uses artificial muscles to move himself along.  This is a new technology that uses soft plastics to create biologically-inspired soft robots and other soft components like sensors, motors, generators and switches.  Check out the recent coverage on RNZ for more details: http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ourchangingworld/audio/201851936/the-future-of-robots-is-soft.