Abstract: In recent years, soft robots have been the research focus in the field of robot research. Their main structures are made of hyperelastic materials or flexible materials, which have unique advantages in compliance, safety, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
With the development of the soft robot, the choice of its actuating mode has been particularly important. As one of the important
actuating modes of the soft robot, the fluid actuating technology can fully adapt to the complex motion of the soft robot under a high degree of freedom. We review the applications of traditional fluid actuation technologies (such as pneumatic actuation and hydraulic actuation), and discuss the latest intelligent fluid actuation technologies (such as hydraulically amplified self-healing electrostatic and electro-conjugate fluid), as well as the research progress of all-software fluid basic components. Finally, the future key research directions of fluid actuation technology are proposed.