Soft Pneumatic Actuators for Soft Robotics: A Motion-Based Review of Actuation Mechanisms and Performance Trade-offs

Abstract

Soft pneumatic actuators are widely used in soft robotics because they can produce large motions while remaining compliant enough to interact safely with objects, environments, and the human body. However, their performance is not solely determined by pressure. Instead, the response depends on the way the actuator is built, including the shape of its chambers, the placement of reinforcements, the use of folds, material stiffness, and the constraints that guide its deformation. As the literature has expanded, it has become more difficult to determine which mechanism is most suitable for a given application and which reported results can be compared across studies. This review examines soft pneumatic actuators according to the design strategies used to generate four motion classes: linear, bending, twisting, and omnidirectional actuation. For each class, it analyzes the structural features that define the deformation path, including braid angle, fold geometry, fiber orientation, chamber arrangement, structural asymmetry, and internal constraint layers. It then discusses how the design choice affect motion output, force generation, air demand, repeatability, durability, fabrication difficulty, and robotic integration. The review further identifies key conditions that must be considered when selecting or comparing actuators, including pressure, loading condition, actuator size, pneumatic supply, and hysteresis This approach helps explain why actuators with similar motion outputs may differ substantially in design requirements, pneumatic demand, and practical suitability. It also highlights the design priorities needed for compact, efficient, repeatable, and deployable soft pneumatic systems in wearable, biomedical, and mobile robotic applications.