Edinburgh, United Kingdom - May 26, 2025 Scientists have created the first soft robots that can walk straight off the 3D printers that make them. These flexible four-legged devices were developed using a new 3D printing system designed to produce soft robots without any electronic parts. Soft machines made from materials like soft plastics have huge potential in fields such as nuclear decommissioning, biomedicine, and space exploration. Until now, high costs, specialist expertise, and a lack of standard manufacturing limited their real-world use. A team at the University of Edinburgh developed a low-cost desktop 3D printer called the Flex Printer to overcome these challenges. The system can be built for under £400 from off-the-shelf parts and requires little prior knowledge to operate. The palm-sized robots are made entirely of soft plastic and powered by air pressure. Once printed, they connect to a compressed air supply and walk right off the printer. The team has made the designs publicly available to expand access and encourage collaboration. The research was published in the journal Device and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Lead engineer Maks Gepner said this platform allows users to print things once thought impossible and could drive the next wave of breakthroughs in soft robotics.