Functional Fibers in Soft Robotics: Advances in Material, Structural, and Systemic Tactics

The field of soft robotics is currently navigating a pivotal transition from centralized, computation‐heavy control strategies toward embodied intelligence, where adaptive behaviors emerge directly from the physical interaction between material properties and structural design. This review article provides a comprehensive analysis of fiber‐form devices as a primary vehicle for this paradigm shift. We systematically classify fibrous soft robotic systems into three tiers of embodiment: (1) Material‐Level Embodiment, where intrinsic chemical properties of functional materials enable autonomous sensing and actuation; (2) Structural Embodiment, where geometric architectures harness structural anisotropy to program complex deformation modes; and (3) Systemic Integration, where these functional fibers are incorporated into systems or assembled into networks to realize distributed, high‐degree‐of‐freedom robotic applications. Furthermore, we critically evaluate advanced fabrication techniques, focusing on the unique strengths of each tactic. We conclude that fiber‐based architectures offer a unique pathway to overcome current challenges in continuum robotics, enabling the creation of pervasive, bio‐inspired nervous systems and artificial muscles that bridge the gap between soft matter and intelligent control.