The pursuit of constructing humanoid robots to replicate the anatomical structures and capabilities of human beings has been a long-standing significant undertaking and especially garnered tremendous attention in recent years. However, despite the progress made over recent decades, humanoid robots have predominantly been confined to those rigid metallic structures, which however starkly contrast with the inherent flexibility observed in biological systems. To better innovate this area, the present article systematically explores the value and potential of liquid metals and their derivatives in facilitating a crucial transition towards soft humanoid robots. Through a comprehensive interpretation of bionics, we present an overview of liquid metals' multifaceted roles as essential components in constructing advanced humanoid robots - functioning as soft actuators, sensors, power sources, logical devices, circuit systems, and even transformable skeletal structures. We conceived that the integration of these components with flexible structures, facilitated by the unique properties of liquid metals, can create unexpected versatile functionalities and behaviors to better fulfill human needs. Finally, we envision a revolution in humanoid robots, transitioning from metallic frameworks to hybrid soft-rigid structures resembling that of biological tissues. This article is expected to provide fundamental guidance for the coming research, thereby advancing the area. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Keywords: bionics; flexible material; humanoid robot; liquid metal; soft machine.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.