In nature, surfaces are evolutionarily designed to allow adaptation of species to their environments. Insects make extensive use of interfacial phenomena because of their small size and thus, large surface‐area‐to‐volume ratio. This enables them to walk on different terrains, dive, swim, and adhere to surfaces in air and underwater. Moreover, they toggle between different interfaces, move in confined spaces, and overcome a wide range of obstacles. This progress report summarizes emerging directions in the field of bioinspired robotics with an emphasis on micro and nanoscale dynamic interactions. It is envisioned that interfacial phenomena will allow to miniaturize robots and increase the complexity of their operation. The key to success is the combination of functional surfaces, structural design and multiple modes of locomotion. For this to be realized, however, new paradigms are needed in terms of materials, fabrication, energy consumption, and actuation. This report discusses the development of small robots inspired by water striders, the bell spider, the leaf and ladybird beetles, backswimmers and cockroaches, among many others. It also discusses small soft robots inspired by roundworms, larvae, and parasites. From a broader perspective, fabrication of many small robots will enable to study collective effects and self‐assembly, group behavior and swarming.

中文翻译：

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自然界中的界面现象如何激发小型机器人

在自然界中，表面经过进化设计，可以使物种适应其环境。昆虫由于体积小，因此表面积和体积比大，因此广泛使用界面现象。这使他们能够在不同的地形上行走，潜水，游泳并附着在空中和水下的表面上。此外，它们在不同的界面之间切换，在狭窄的空间中移动并克服了各种各样的障碍。该进展报告总结了生物启发机器人技术领域的新兴方向，重点是微米和纳米级的动态相互作用。可以预见，界面现象将使机器人小型化并增加其操作的复杂性。成功的关键是功能表面，结构设计和多种运动模式的结合。为了实现这一点，在材料，制造，能耗和驱动方面需要新的范例。本报告讨论了受水ider，铃蜘蛛，树叶和瓢虫，后游泳者和蟑螂等启发的小型机器人的发展。它还讨论了受round虫，幼虫和寄生虫启发的小型软机器人。从更广泛的角度来看，制造许多小型机器人将使人们能够研究集体效应和自我组装，群体行为和群体。它还讨论了受round虫，幼虫和寄生虫启发的小型软机器人。从更广泛的角度来看，制造许多小型机器人将使人们能够研究集体效应和自我组装，群体行为和群体。它还讨论了受round虫，幼虫和寄生虫启发的小型软机器人。从更广泛的角度来看，制造许多小型机器人将使人们能够研究集体效应和自我组装，群体行为和群体。