What if robots could run on chemistry, not code?

Every motion you make—from typing to catching a ball—relies on a myriad of tactile sensors, signals, and precise muscle movements, that give you fine motor skills. Even after decades of technological innovations, robots still struggle with integrating all these elements effectively. This is because they are too forceful, coarse and rigid to navigate the constantly changing human environment. We still easily outperform them. My team and I dream of safer, softer, and smarter robots that can be used in healthcare and everyday life. By looking at chemical reactions in our bodies and borrowing principles of how humans move, we build a chemical operation system for future robots. Towards that end, we craft molecular touch sensors, networks of reactions, and robotic materials that equip robots with fine motor skills. By using chemistry instead of code, we are reimagining how robots work.