Editor-in-Chief: Mohammad Osman Tokhi
London South Bank University, UK
Frequency: Continuous
eISSN: 3154-7559
© 2026 Bon View Publishing.
Call for Papers-SI on HSRAs-ALHRI
Special Issue on Hybrid Soft–Rigid Robotic Actuators for Adaptive Locomotion and Human–Robot Interaction
Aims and Scope
Hybrid soft–rigid robotic actuators integrate compliant materials with rigid structural elements, transmissions, or constraints to balance adaptability, load capacity, and motion control. These architectures offer opportunities for robots that must negotiate unstructured environments, maintain reliable contact, and interact physically with people. However, their practical deployment requires progress in understanding coupled dynamics, manufacturing robust interfaces, integrating sensing, and validating performance under realistic operating conditions.
This Special Issue aims to bring together advances in the design, fabrication, modelling, sensing, and control of hybrid soft–rigid actuators, with particular emphasis on climbing, walking, legged, and assistive robotic systems. We welcome original research and critical reviews addressing variable stiffness, multimaterial structures, bioinspired actuation, embedded sensing, energy efficiency, and actuator integration into complete robotic platforms.
Contributions should clearly explain how soft and rigid components interact and what this integration enables. Experimental validation, comparisons with appropriate baselines, and reporting of force, displacement, bandwidth, efficiency, durability, or locomotion performance are encouraged. Relevant applications include adaptive feet and limbs, climbing and adhesion mechanisms, wearable assistance, rehabilitation, and mobile manipulation. By connecting actuator development with system requirements, this issue seeks to identify reproducible design principles and practical pathways towards reliable, adaptive robotic technologies for demanding environments and safe human–robot interaction.
Lead Guest Editor
Khaled Goher
King's College London, UK
Research Interests: Robotics, Soft Robotics, mechatronics
Guest Editors
Mohammad Osman Tokhi
London South Bank University, UK
Research Interests: Active Noise, Vibration Control, Adaptive/Intelligent Control, Assistive Robotics, Bio/Nature-inspired Computational Intelligence
Special Issue Information
The contributions from researchers describing their original, unpublished, research contribution on the following theme (but not limited to):
· Hybrid soft–rigid actuator architectures and design optimisation
· Variable stiffness mechanisms for adaptive robotic actuation
· Multimaterial fabrication and reliable soft–rigid interface engineering
· Coupled dynamics modelling and actuator performance prediction
· Embedded sensing and closed loop actuator control
· Energy efficient actuation and onboard power integration
· Hybrid actuators for climbing and legged locomotion
· Adaptive feet and controllable robotic adhesion mechanisms
· Wearable assistance and rehabilitation using hybrid actuators
· Durability testing and reproducible actuator performance benchmarking
· Variable stiffness mechanisms for adaptive robotic actuation
· Multimaterial fabrication and reliable soft–rigid interface engineering
· Coupled dynamics modelling and actuator performance prediction
· Embedded sensing and closed loop actuator control
· Energy efficient actuation and onboard power integration
· Hybrid actuators for climbing and legged locomotion
· Adaptive feet and controllable robotic adhesion mechanisms
· Wearable assistance and rehabilitation using hybrid actuators
· Durability testing and reproducible actuator performance benchmarking
Manuscript Submission Information
Submission deadline: March 31, 2027
Submissions that pass pre-check will be reviewed by at least two reviewers of the specific field.
If you have any queries regarding this special issue or other matters, please feel free to contact the editorial office: jcwr@bonviewpress.com
