Programming origami-like soft actuators using visible light

Programming remotely activated soft actuators that respond quickly and reversibly while traveling defined distances is a major challenge in materials science. Recently, the precise fabrication of highly functional, photoresponsive soft actuators composed of fused yet competing spiropyran-based bilayered hydrogels that respond to a single visible light source was achieved. When combined with photoinactive hydrogels in precise patterns, a series of extravagant "walkers" that undergo predetermined origami-like shape changes is possible.