Exploring the Use and Impact of Composite Materials in Robotics: A Systematic Review

Lightweight and high‐strength materials are important in robotics, as structural design impacts efficiency, payload capacity, and energy consumption. Composite materials, with their superior stiffness‐to‐weight ratios and multifunctional properties, offer clear advantages over conventional metals and polymers. This review critically examines the use of composites in robotics, with a focus on their structural, active, and sensory functions. A systematic literature review based on an adapted PRISMA framework identified over 100 publications from 1988 to 2026, revealing continuous research growth and rising interest in soft robotics, piezoelectric composites, and carbon‐based structures. In contrast, bioinspired systems have declined due to integration and manufacturing challenges. Despite the progress, major barriers remain, particularly scalability, long‐term reliability, and cost. This work proposes a functional taxonomy of composites in robotics and outlines future directions, including sustainable bio‐based materials, multimaterial additive manufacturing, and 4D‐printed adaptive systems. By integrating materials science and robotics, this review provides a concise roadmap, in composite structures, for developing high‐performance, multifunctional, and sustainable robotic technologies.