Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Abstract
Mechanical transmission is essential in force-related activities ranging from the daily tying of shoe laces to sophisticated surgical and robotic operations. Modern machines and robots typically use complex electronic devices designed to sense and limit force, some of which still face challenges when operating space is limited (for example, in minimally invasive surgeries)6 or when resources are scarce (for example, operations in remote areas without electricity). Here we describe an alternative slipknot-based mechanical transmission mechanism to control the intelligent operation of both human and robotic systems. Through topological design, slipknot tying and release can encode and deliver force with a consistency of 95.4% in repeating operations, which circumvents the need for additional sensors and controllers. When applied to surgical repair, this mechanism helped inexperienced surgeons to improve their knotting-force precision by 121%, enabling them to perform surgical knots as good as those of experienced surgeons. Moreover, blood supply and tissue healing after surgery were improved. The mechano-intelligence exhibited in slipknots may inspire investigations of knotted structures across multiple length scales. This slipknot-gauged mechanical transmission strategy can be widely deployed, opening up opportunities for resource-limited healthcare, science education and field exploration.
Xue, Y., Cao, J., Feng, T. et al. Slipknot-gauged mechanical transmission and robotic operation. Nature 647, 889–896 (2025). doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09673-w
Abstract
Mechanical transmission is essential in force-related activities ranging from the daily tying of shoe laces to sophisticated surgical and robotic operations. Modern machines and robots typically use complex electronic devices designed to sense and limit force, some of which still face challenges when operating space is limited (for example, in minimally invasive surgeries)6 or when resources are scarce (for example, operations in remote areas without electricity). Here we describe an alternative slipknot-based mechanical transmission mechanism to control the intelligent operation of both human and robotic systems. Through topological design, slipknot tying and release can encode and deliver force with a consistency of 95.4% in repeating operations, which circumvents the need for additional sensors and controllers. When applied to surgical repair, this mechanism helped inexperienced surgeons to improve their knotting-force precision by 121%, enabling them to perform surgical knots as good as those of experienced surgeons. Moreover, blood supply and tissue healing after surgery were improved. The mechano-intelligence exhibited in slipknots may inspire investigations of knotted structures across multiple length scales. This slipknot-gauged mechanical transmission strategy can be widely deployed, opening up opportunities for resource-limited healthcare, science education and field exploration.
Xue, Y., Cao, J., Feng, T. et al. Slipknot-gauged mechanical transmission and robotic operation. Nature 647, 889–896 (2025). doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09673-w
