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About

Yi-Chin Toh is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics, with a focus on bioinspired locomotion and biomedical applications. Her work addresses fundamental challenges in creating untethered, lightweight soft robots capable of diverse, biomimetic movements—including crawling, climbing, perching, and flying. Her highly cited 2024 paper on FiBa soft robots (52 citations) introduces a novel fabrication approach that overcomes the longstanding hurdle of freeing soft robots from bulky electrical or pneumatic power sources, enabling autonomous, agile operation. In parallel, Toh has made significant contributions to biomedical soft robotics, most notably developing a soft robotic artificial left ventricle simulator (17 citations) that replicates the complex myocardial biomechanics of the human heart. This work tackles what has been described as the "Gordian knot of anatomy"—the intricate muscle fiber architecture that dictates cardiac motion. By creating a physical system that mimics these motions, Toh’s research opens new avenues for surgical training, device testing, and understanding cardiac physiology. Her innovative integration of soft robotics with biological systems demonstrates a unique ability to translate engineering principles into transformative tools for medicine and biology, positioning her as a leading voice in the next generation of soft robotic design.