On November 5, 2025, a research team from the University of Oxford in the UK shared their groundbreaking discovery in the esteemed journal Advanced Materials. They unveiled a brand-new type of soft robot that is exclusively powered by air pressure.

This robot stands out as it doesn't rely on any electronic parts, motors, or computational instructions. Instead, it achieves movement and coordination through modular pneumatic units. Each of these modules is a multi-tasker, capable of carrying out three functions at once: facilitating muscle-like movements, providing tactile sensing, and controlling valves.

When several modules are linked together, they can spontaneously create rhythmic motions without the need for a central control system. In laboratory settings, prototype versions of this robot have already showcased impressive abilities, such as jumping and crawling. Moreover, they've successfully completed tasks like automatically sorting items and detecting edges.

This innovative "structure-driven" method paves the way for new avenues in embodied intelligence. Looking ahead, it holds great promise for use in extreme environments, including cleaning up nuclear contamination and conducting inspections inside human body cavities.