Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed biodegradable soft robots made from rice paper, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional materials used in robotics.
The material safely degrades within 32 days, making it a more environmentally option for prototyping, outreach activities, and single-use applications.
The study demonstrates that rice paper, a staple of Vietnamese spring rolls, is non-toxic and shares many of the mechanical properties of widely used silicone elastomers in soft robotics.
The team carried out a series of tests to compare rice paper, sourced from rice and cassava root (Manihot esculenta), with silicone. They assessed its tensile strength, flexibility, and environmental degradability.
The results showed that rice paper performed similarly to silicone in key mechanical areas, while offering the added benefit of rapid biodegradability without requiring high temperatures or humidity.
The findings have potential implications across culinary, agricultural, and educational sectors, offering an accessible and more sustainable material for those interested in soft robotics, including researchers, students, and hobbyists.
The researchers are now developing a fully biodegradable soft robot capable of autonomous movement, with the aim of deploying it for tasks such as planting seeds in hard-to-reach areas.
Future work will focus on designing a compostable power source and control mechanism to enable these robots to operate in natural environments outside the lab.
Christine Braganza, lead author of the study, and based in University of Bristol’s faculty of science and engineering said: “Soft Robotics is a rapidly growing field worldwide that involves the creation of more flexible and adaptable robots using soft materials like silicone elastomers.
“However, working with silicone generates long-lasting waste. It also provides researchers with a fresh approach to prototyping and is promising technology for agricultural and reforestation applications, like reseeding in hard-to-reach areas.”
Achievements and innovations in life sciences, warehouse automation across retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport and logistics, and more will be celebrated at the third annual Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
