"Solitons: Time, Space, and Rule Bending"

Researchers from the University of Amsterdam have demonstrated the unique behavior of topological solitons in a robotic metamaterial, showing that they can be harnessed through non-reciprocal interactions to control the movement of robots, sense their surroundings, and communicate. The solitons, which behave like particles but retain their shape and cannot disappear, are being studied for their potential applications in materials science, robotics, and engineering, offering new possibilities for self-propelled motion and advanced functionality.