Environmental energy from light, heat, moisture, wind, and other natural gradients is emerging as a foundation for the next generation of green robotic technologies. Harnessing such ambient sources opens new pathways for locomotion, adaptation, and sustained operation without external power or tethers.

This workshop brings together researchers to explore this central question at the intersection of autonomy, soft robotics, and sustainability. Specifically, participants will engage with state-of-the-art presentations alongside an interactive panel session examining how environmental interactions can be embedded into soft materials to form the vision of truly self-sustaining, environmentally empowered soft machines, and how these strategies can advance sustainable solutions across robotics, agriculture, environmental and biomedical engineering. In addition to this, these sessions will assess the maturity of the field, identify the gaps between current capabilities and outline a collaborative roadmap for future development.

Because the systems under discussion are portable and easy to demonstrate, they create an ideal entry-point for younger researchers to engage more visibly with the community. Leveraging this accessibility, the workshop introduces three new formats of student-centered participation—posters, a concept competition, and a demonstration competition—designed to broaden cross-disciplinary dialogue and inspire innovative pathways toward sustainable robotic autonomy.