Soft robots can be termed as systems primarily made of soft materials, components such that they move and adapt to their surroundings. The subsequent pages in this document present technology categorization, publication trend, patent offices, and key technologies in the field of soft robotics.

1. Soft Robotics
Soft robots can be termed as systems primarily made of soft materials, components
such that they move and adapt to their surroundings.
The subsequent pages in this document present technology categorization, publication
trend, patent offices, and key technologies in the field of soft robotics.
© Patent Landscape Report 2021
Image Credit: CSAIL MIT
Link: https://images.app.goo.gl/mQ3BorZoKFacHV3B7

2. Technology Categorization
The research area can be categorized around
1. Applications
• Medical & Healthcare
• Exosuits
• Construction
• Packaging Solutions
• Exploration
• Wearable
2. Manufacturing Methods
• 3D Printing
• Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM)
• Smart Composite Microstructure (SCM) Process
3. Materials
• Shape Memory Alloys
• Shape Memory Polymers
• Elastomers
Contd…

3. Technology Categorization
4. Sensors
• Soft stretch sensors
• Soft bending sensors
• Soft pressure sensors
• Soft force sensors
5. Control Methods
• Electrostatic Force
• Thermal
• Pressure
Note: This section is not exhaustive as additional categories are available.

4. Publication Trend
The chart represents the year wise publications (applications, grants and NPL).
© Patent Landscape Report 2021
1 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 3
8
14
29
57
91
165
289
278
26
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
135
150
165
180
195
210
225
240
255
270
285
300
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

5. Patent Offices
The chart displays the patent offices along with the count of patent documents.
© Patent Landscape Report 2021
521
152
107
47
25
15
11
7
5
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 475 500 525
CN
US
WO
EP
AU
CA
KR
JP
IN
GB
DE
NZ
SG
MX
MY
RU

6. Key Technologies
The chart below represents key technology segments.
© Patent Landscape Report 2021
428
68
43
22
21
17
16
15
15
14
13
10
10
10
10
0
15
30
45
60
75
90
105
120
135
150
165
180
195
210
225
240
255
270
285
300
315
330
345
360
375
390
405
420
435
Manipulators
Motor Vehicles
Diagnosis and Surgical Instruments
Plastic based Apparatus
Fluid-pressure Actuators
Waterborne Vessels
Treating Organic Compounds
Physical Therapy Apparatus
Thermal Insulation Process
Macromolecular Compounds
Mechanical Power Producing Devices
Control or Regulating Systems
Electric Digital Data Processing
Implantable Filters related to Medical Science
Marine Propulsion

7. About Us
We aim to assist innovators, universities & corporates in their R&D activities, business
decision making by identifying potential research areas, giving technology overview,
conducting portfolio analysis.
We provide IP consultancy services as listed below
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© Patent Landscape Report 2021