When you think of robots, how do they appear in your mind? For a lot of people, the idea of a robot isn't all that different from those we'd seen on The Jetsons - metallic, clunky, and noisy. But for others - especially actual roboticists - robots can be just as soft, squishy, and relatively silent as that of organic material. These are what are known as soft robots.

Oh, and did I mention that they can also be wearable? Yes, the idea of actually wearing robots may seem a tad bit odd, but as the late Mark Twain once said, the "truth is stranger than fiction."

Although a recent development, researchers have been quickly pursuing a whole new level of robotics engineering. Not only are these robots soft and interactive, but they can fit on your feet, your hands, and, yes, even your own face. Whether you see it as a futuristic fashion statement or as a means of addressing health issues, the future of soft robots has certainly taken a giant leap forward.

Let's start with the hands: despite their clear potential, wearable soft robots have a lot to thank exoskeletons for even having existed. Think of it as a robot suit that helps you lift heavier objects and even help the paralyzed walk again. With this, soft robots already have big shoes to fill - or in this case, gloves.

Created by a biorobotics team at Seoul National University, the Exo-Glove Poly is a wearable soft robot that fits around your hand like a glove and helps provide optimal grip. Composed of silicone, the Exo-Glove uses tendon-driven mechanisms in order for the paralyzed to provide direction for their fingers and thumb when attempting to grasp an object.

As emphasized by the team behind the Exo-Glove:

"We introduce the Exo-Glove Poly, the hope that the innovative technologies it provides, will enable individuals with hand mobility loss to regain their independence."