Over the last several decades, the design of robots has moved from an academic exercise and the domain of deep-pocketed corporations to the world of start-ups, hobbyists, and everyday people.

Flexible electronics such as flexible sensors, flexible circuits, and flexible actuators hold promising applications in robotic systems. They can effectively enhance a robot's intelligence, enabling ...

Classical robots, such as those used for manufacturing, can lift heavy loads and repeat automated processes precisely. But they are too rigid and bulky for delicate work and interaction with humans.

The future of the world economy will be shaped either by the rapid deployment of robots or by disappointment that robotics fails to improve nearly as rapidly as boosters suggest. Either way, the ...