Agile Soft Robot Uses Electric Fields for Shapeshifting Movement

Researchers have developed an agile, shapeshifting soft robot capable of clever movement, demonstrating amorphous characteristics. The unique soft morphing creation, developed by the University of Bristol and Queen Mary University of London, is more adaptable than existing soft robots.

Credit: Advanced Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202419077

This electro-morphing gel, jelly-like humanoid gymnast can move from one place to another using its flexible body and limbs, as showcased in a study published in the journal Advanced Materials.

Credit: Advanced Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202419077

The robot utilises a material called electro-morphing gel, or e-MG, which enables shapeshifting functions. This allows it to bend, stretch, and move in previously difficult or impossible ways.

These movements are achieved through the manipulation of electric fields emanating from ultralightweight electrodes.

Study lead author Ciqun Xu, a research associate at the University of Bristol School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, described soft robotics as an exciting and rapidly advancing field. He stated that the e-MG robot marks a breakthrough paving the way for further progress in soft robotics.

Soft robots expand the possibilities of conventional rigid robotics with their unique transformability and adaptability. They offer novel solutions across industry, wearables, and health care.

Existing soft robots, however, face limitations regarding response time, complex shape changes, and independent manipulation.

The study demonstrated robots capable of large-scale deformation and movement, exhibiting multiple and complex morphing behaviours. These capabilities exceed the limits of existing robots.

This contrasts with previous magnetic microrobots, which required heavy, bulky, and expensive electromagnets.

Robots are often designed to carry out a specific task to a high degree of specialisation. The e-MG robot's adaptability and consistent performance across 10,000 actuation cycles signify a step towards next-generation smart robots.

Constructed from a soft polymer composite with nanocrystalline conductors, the e-MG robot can be remotely manipulated by electric fields. This allows for a high level of control and body morphing.

The e-MG robot's geometry can be tailored for specific application scenarios. As demonstrated in the video, the jelly-like humanoid gymnast with an agile body and active limbs is capable of swinging along the ceiling for locomotion.

The e-MG can also be paired with rigid, traditional robotics or machine parts. This allows for hybrid constructions tailored to complex tasks and environments.

Xu added that soft robotics has broad and exciting potential applications. These include space exploration, wearable devices, and health care, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

He noted that the adaptability of the e-MG robot and future soft robots can provide a diverse range of tools for situations where traditional robots are not suitable.

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• Researchers from the University of Bristol and Queen Mary University of London developed a new soft robot.

• The robot uses an electro-morphing gel (e-MG) material and electric fields to change shape and move.

• It demonstrates large-scale deformation, complex morphing behaviours, and consistent performance over 10,000 actuation cycles.

Source: TECHXPLORE

Filipino Workers Power OnlyFans' Global Content Machine

A quiet revolution is unfolding in the digital realm, largely orchestrated from the Philippines, where a burgeoning workforce is intricately involved in the production and promotion of explicit content for foreign models on platforms such as OnlyFans. This sophisticated cottage industry, often operating beneath the radar, represents a significant hidden layer within the global digital economy. Far from being passive consumers, thousands of Filipino individuals are engaged in a variety of roles, transforming raw footage into polished, marketable products that fuel the lucrative adult entertainment industry online. Reports from investigative journalists in the Philippines have shed light on this intricate ecosystem, revealing the complex interplay of economic necessity, digital prowess, and ethical considerations.

Credit: Jakub Porzycki/ NurPhoto / Getty Images

The work undertaken by these Filipino individuals is comprehensive, covering a broad spectrum of services essential for a successful OnlyFans presence. This includes the demanding task of editing raw video and photographic material, ensuring it meets aesthetic standards and platform guidelines. Beyond mere technical production, many workers are also deeply involved in the strategic aspects of content distribution and client engagement. This means managing social media accounts, crafting compelling marketing copy, and directly interacting with subscribers. They might handle direct messages, respond to fan requests, and even manage subscriptions, effectively acting as the public face of the models they represent, whilst remaining entirely anonymous themselves. This full scale operational support allows models to focus solely on content creation, knowing the demanding backend processes are professionally managed.

Economic drivers play a substantial role in motivating this workforce. The Philippines, with its relatively lower cost of living and a large pool of English proficient, digitally skilled young people, presents an attractive environment for this kind of remote work. Wages earned from these roles, even if considered modest by Western standards, can be significantly higher than many local employment opportunities. For many, these digital jobs offer a pathway to improved financial stability, the ability to support families, and a chance to escape poverty. The flexibility of remote work also appeals to many, allowing them to balance their professional commitments with personal or educational pursuits, a benefit not always available in traditional employment sectors.

The sheer scale of this operation is noteworthy. Rather than individual freelancers, a significant portion of this work is coordinated through agencies and sophisticated syndicates. These organisations recruit, train, and manage teams of editors, marketers, and virtual assistants. They establish protocols for content management, implement advanced search engine optimisation strategies to boost visibility, and develop sophisticated sales funnels to maximise revenue. Some of these operations function like regular businesses, complete with office spaces, hierarchical structures, and performance targets. However, their core business often revolves around explicit content, a facet which introduces a unique set of challenges and ethical dilemmas.

For the individuals involved, the nature of the work brings a complex mix of feelings. On one hand, there is the undeniable benefit of financial gain and career development within the digital sphere. Many develop highly sought after skills in video editing, digital marketing, and customer relationship management. On the other hand, the constant exposure to explicit material, and the often exploitative undertones of the industry, can take a mental and emotional toll. Workers must navigate personal moral boundaries, societal stigmas, and the challenge of separating their professional persona from their private lives. Maintaining anonymity is often a priority for these workers, who fear judgment from their communities and families should their involvement become publicly known.

The distinction between the content creator and the content manager becomes increasingly blurred in this context. While the models are often the visible faces of their brands, the Filipino teams are the unseen architects behind the scenes, crafting the narrative, managing the engagement, and ultimately contributing significantly to the financial success of these digital ventures. This phenomenon highlights a growing trend in the gig economy where labour from developing nations powers the digital enterprises of more affluent ones, often in ethically ambiguous sectors. It raises important questions about digital labour rights, cross border regulations, and the moral responsibilities of platforms and content creators towards their hidden workforce. The intricate web of this economy continues to expand, demanding further examination of its far reaching social and economic impacts.

• Thousands of Filipino workers are involved in editing, marketing, and managing explicit content for foreign OnlyFans models.

• This remote work provides significantly better financial opportunities than many local jobs in the Philippines.

• Operations are often managed by agencies and syndicates, providing comprehensive support including content creation and subscriber engagement.

• Workers face ethical dilemmas and mental strain from constant exposure to explicit content, alongside concerns about social stigma.

  
  

Source: Rappler

SpaceX Shifts Focus to Moon City, Elon Musk Confirms

SpaceX is prioritising the construction of a "self-growing city" on the moon, a goal Chief Executive Elon Musk stated could be achieved in less than 10 years. Musk stated that 'securing the future of civilisation' remains his top priority, noting the moon offers a faster route to this objective.

Credit: SPACEX

Musk added that "securing the future of civilisation" remains his top priority, noting the moon offers a faster route to this objective. SpaceX also aims to build a city on Mars, with work expected to begin in approximately five to seven years.

A Wall Street Journal report indicated SpaceX had informed investors of its intention to focus on the moon first, followed by Mars. The report specified a target of Mar. 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing.

Credit: TESLA

Last year, Musk had aimed for an uncrewed mission to Mars by the end of 2026. The United States faces significant competition from China in its ambition to return astronauts to the moon.

No humans have visited the moon since the final US Apollo mission in 1972. Musk's comments follow SpaceX's agreement to acquire the artificial intelligence outfit xAI.

The transaction values SpaceX at USD 1 trillion, and xAI at USD 250 billion.

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• SpaceX is now prioritising the development of a "self-growing city" on the moon.

• Chief Executive Elon Musk believes this lunar city could be established within a decade.

• SpaceX also plans to begin building a Mars city in the next five to seven years.

Source: REUTERS