Imagine a robotic arm that can gently pick up an egg—or crack it open with a single snap. Inspired by the powerful punch of the mantis shrimp, Korean engineers have created a soft robotic device that mimics the creature’s incredible strength and speed. This innovation isn’t just about brute force; it’s about unlocking new ways for robots to move and interact with the world.

So, what’s the secret? The robotic arm uses a mechanism called the Hyperelastic Torque Reversal Mechanism (HeTRM), which works like a spring-loaded system. Think of it as bending a tree branch until it suddenly snaps back. The arm stores energy in its flexible joints and releases it all at once, allowing it to perform tasks like grabbing, crawling, and even jumping.

The mantis shrimp’s punch is legendary—it’s fast enough to create shock waves in the water and even produce tiny flashes of light. This new robotic arm borrows from that natural design, using soft, stretchy materials combined with rigid segments to achieve similar rapid movements. It’s a breakthrough in soft robotics, a field that focuses on creating machines with flexible, lifelike parts instead of hard, rigid structures.

One of the most impressive features is its versatility. The arm can gently handle delicate objects like jelly or origami boxes, or it can deliver a powerful snap to crack an eggshell. Researchers have also tested it on a two-legged robot that can crawl across uneven surfaces and tentacle-like grippers that can catch fast-moving objects like a ping-pong ball.

This innovation could have wide-ranging applications, from industrial assembly lines to medical devices. By mimicking nature’s designs, engineers are proving that sometimes the best ideas come from the world around us. Who knew a tiny shrimp could inspire such a big leap in robotics?

What’s next? The team plans to keep refining the design, exploring new ways to make these robots even more adaptable and efficient. The future of robotics might just be as flexible—and as fascinating—as the creatures that inspire them.