Computational active materials and embodied intelligence in extreme conditions

Summary

Nature Computational Science, Published online: 22 September 2026; doi:10.1038/s43588-026-01051-4 Embodied intelligence has enabled machines to act autonomously, yet intelligence remains largely confined to digital models, leaving robotic bodies as passive executors. In extreme environments, such as the human brain, where tissues are mechanically and thermally sensitive, conventional electronics can become limiting. Here, we discuss how active materials, which embed intelligence directly within their structure, can expand robotic capabilities in these settings, with a particular focus on the role of computation-aided design.