The emergence of soft machines and electronics creates new opportunities to engineer robotic systems that are mechanically compliant, deformable, and safe for physical interaction with the human body. Progress, however, depends on new classes of soft multifunctional materials that can operate outside of a hard exterior and withstand the same real-world conditions that human skin and other soft biological materials are typically subjected to. As with their natural counterparts, these materials must be capable of self-repair and healing when damaged to maintain the longevity of the host system and prevent sudden or permanent failure. Here, we provide a perspective on current trends and future opportunities in self-healing soft systems that enhance the durability, mechanical robustness, and longevity of soft-matter machines and electronics.

软机和电子设备的出现为机械系统适应性强，可变形且与人体物理互动安全的机器人系统的工程创造了新的机会。但是，进展取决于新型软多功能材料，这些材料可以在硬质外部之外运行，并能承受与人类皮肤和其他软生物材料通常所经受的现实世界相同的条件。与天然材料一样，这些材料在受损时必须具有自我修复和修复的能力，以保持主机系统的寿命并防止突然或永久性的故障。在这里，我们提供了可自我修复的软系统的当前趋势和未来机会的观点，这些系统可增强软物质机器和电子设备的耐用性，机械强度和使用寿命。