Actuation Strategies for Underwater Jet‐Propelled Soft Robots

This review article examines jet‐propulsion mechanisms in underwater soft robotic systems, focusing exclusively on physically fabricated and experimentally validated robots. Covering research published from 2013 to 2025, this study classifies and evaluates jet‐propulsion robots based on their actuation mechanisms. This review outlines the fundamental working principles, discusses the key advantages and limitations, and assesses the practicality of these mechanisms for underwater applications. Additionally, a list of robots employing each actuation method is presented, illustrating the diversity of approaches within the field. By systematically comparing these studies, this review identifies critical performance trade‐offs, potential challenges, and opportunities for innovation in jet‐propulsion‐based underwater robotics. Ultimately, this work serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers, facilitating advancements in the design and application of bioinspired underwater jetting robots.