Control method for compliant robots

A stimulus-responsive robot, comprising:

• a flexible body;
• an extensible actuator coupled to the flexible body,
• the extensible actuator being configured such that extension and contraction of the extensible actuator effects a translational movement of the robot via the flexible body;
• and
• at least one control unit in in mechanical communication with the extensible actuator,
• the at least one control unit comprising a material being responsive to a first external non-electrical stimulus via the flexible body,
• the control unit being configured to exert a bending force on the extensible actuator via the flexible body, the bending force being related to a response of the first material to the first external stimulus,
• the bending being sufficient to change a direction of the translational movement of the robot in response to extension and contraction of the extensible actuator.