Edible Pneumatic Soft Robotic Actuators

A method of preparing a gelatin and corn syrup composite, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a solution of corn syrup in water;
• (b) mixing gelatin with the solution from step (a) to provide a mixture;
• (c) heating the mixture from step (b) to about 100° C. to provide a heated mixture, wherein the heated mixture contains a top layer and a bottom layer;
• (d) cooling the heated mixture from step (c) to provide a mass;
• and
• (e) removing a top layer from the mass to provide the gelatin and corn syrup composite.

A toy set comprising at least one soft body robotic device, comprising:

• (a) a flexible molded body having a plurality of interconnected chambers disposed within the molded body, and a strain limiting portion;
• and
• (b) a pressurizing inlet configured to receive a gas for the plurality of interconnected chambers,
• wherein the soft body robotic device is made of a gelatin and corn syrup composite, and the molded body is configured to preferentially expand when the plurality of interconnected chambers are pressurized by the fluid, causing a bending motion around the strain limiting portion.