STORM-BOTS has advanced the field of soft robotics by pushing the limits of liquid crystal elastomers. The project has established new knowledge and tools in material design, additive manufacturing, and modelling of complex mechanical responses, enabling autonomous, programmable behaviour in soft actuators. These breakthroughs represent a significant step beyond the current state of the art, allowing robotic functionalities to emerge directly from the materials themselves. By achieving the integration of stimuli-responsiveness, multi-material printing, and real-time actuation modeling, STORM-BOTS opens the door to disruptive technologies in minimally invasive surgery, wearable robotics, bioinspired actuators, and interactive haptic surfaces. Besides fundamental concepts, prototypes on minimally invasive surgery and scalable actuator matrices are currently under active development. Software tools for 3D printing of LCEs with customized deformation profiles have also been released as open-source resources, encouraging further innovation in both academia and industry.
The training program has offered Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) a combination of cross-disciplinary technical education and tailored transferable skills training. ESRs have been equipped to succeed across sectors through different network-wide symposia, local training, and international secondments. Their experience in experimental design, data analysis, intellectual property, and entrepreneurship positions them as highly capable professionals ready to contribute to the knowledge-based economy of Europe.
STORM-BOTS has contributed to several Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), including advanced materials, nanotechnology, and smart manufacturing, aligning with the high-tech European strategy. Particularly the project has developed expertise in 4D printing and soft robotics, promoted Open Science, and shared results through open access and public outreach. The project boosted Europe’s leadership in liquid crystal science and soft robotics, laying the groundwork for long-term impact in healthcare, industry, and education.
