Swiss FiberMotor Enables Soft Robotics
Overview
EPFL's FiberMotor, a flexible electrostatic motor, allows soft robots to be squishy and pliable, with applications in prosthetics and haptic systems. It is back-driveable for safe interaction with external forces. Four bundled motors lift a chocolate bar in lab tests. (2026-10-11, New Atlas — Robotics).
Generated from attributed reports · Updated 55 minutes ago
Event evidence and corrections
1 attributed source owners. Ownership does not establish independent confirmation. Quantities are reported separately and are never added together.
Reported quantity · diameter: 1 other · Basis not reported
“vation, which incorporates liquid-pumping tubular fibers into clothing. Ranging in diameter from 1 to 3 millimeters, each FiberMotor is in fact composed of two concentric hollow polymer fibers – a wider one on the outside, with a narrower one nested inside of it. Thin copper wire is tightly wound around each of the fibers, serving as an electrode on each fiber. A close look at the FiberMotor's fiber-within-a-fiber de”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Reported quantity · load: 75 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“sign EPFL When an electrical current is applied to these electrodes, electrostatic forces repeatedly pull the fibers into alignment with one another, causing the inner fiber to slide within the outer one. Utilizing that pulling force in lab tests, individual FiberMotors were able to support stationary loads equivalent to about 75 g (2.6 oz), while four of the motors bundled together could lift a 46-g (1.6-oz) chocola”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Reported quantity · load: 46 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“sign EPFL When an electrical current is applied to these electrodes, electrostatic forces repeatedly pull the fibers into alignment with one another, causing the inner fiber to slide within the outer one. Utilizing that pulling force in lab tests, individual FiberMotors were able to support stationary loads equivalent to about 75 g (2.6 oz), while four of the motors bundled together could lift a 46-g (1.6-oz) chocola”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Reported quantity · metric: 1 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“vation, which incorporates liquid-pumping tubular fibers into clothing. Ranging in diameter from 1 to 3 millimeters, each FiberMotor is in fact composed of two concentric hollow polymer fibers – a wider one on the outside, with a narrower one nested inside of it. Thin copper wire is tightly wound around each of the fibers, serving as an electrode on each fiber. A close look at the FiberMotor's fiber-within-a-fiber de”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Reported quantity · metric: 75 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“sign EPFL When an electrical current is applied to these electrodes, electrostatic forces repeatedly pull the fibers into alignment with one another, causing the inner fiber to slide within the outer one. Utilizing that pulling force in lab tests, individual FiberMotors were able to support stationary loads equivalent to about 75 g (2.6 oz), while four of the motors bundled together could lift a 46-g (1.6-oz) chocola”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Reported quantity · metric: 46 other · Basis not reported · Differing source assertions
“sign EPFL When an electrical current is applied to these electrodes, electrostatic forces repeatedly pull the fibers into alignment with one another, causing the inner fiber to slide within the outer one. Utilizing that pulling force in lab tests, individual FiberMotors were able to support stationary loads equivalent to about 75 g (2.6 oz), while four of the motors bundled together could lift a 46-g (1.6-oz) chocola”
Exact source · revision 2new-atlas
Report timeline
Follow attributed reports and material updates.
- New Atlas — RoboticsMinuscule Swiss fiber motor keeps robots squishy and pliable
Swiss researchers at EPFL have developed a flexible FiberMotor, a thin, linear electrostatic motor that can be integrated into soft robots. The motor uses concentric polymer fibers and copper electrodes to generate force, enabling applications in prosthetics and haptic systems. It is back-driveable, allowing for safe interaction with external forces.
Event coverage history
Current attention 9·Peak within the comparable range 9（2026-10-11 14:00 UTC）·Change within the comparable range over 24 hours –
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