Achieving animal endurance in robots through advanced energy storage.

Shi, Yichao; Pikul, James H · Sci Robot · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Bioinspired mobile robots move with comparable efficiency to their animal counterparts but lag by more than an order of magnitude in system-level energy density because of battery limitations. This Review quantifies this energy gap, evaluates hardware strengths and current battery weaknesses, and proposes benchmarking frameworks for future technologies. Using Spot as a case study, we identify the battery chemistries needed to match the energy storage in animals and propose technologies to unleash robotic endurance.