Soft robotics has advanced significantly by integrating highly deformable and compliant materials, endowing robots with unparalleled adaptability for operation in dynamic and unstructured environments. However, the absence of commonly accepted benchmarking frameworks presents challenges for reproducibility and complicates the comparison of different technologies. This paper addresses this challenge by analyzing the Component‐System Dichotomy, i.e., the performance gap between isolated components and integrated systems, as a key and previously underexplored factor in evaluation. Through a quantitative analysis across sensing, actuation, and control, we identify opportunities to improve current practice, particularly in the consistent reporting of system‐level efficiency and long‐term durability. To address these challenges, we propose a hierarchical evaluation framework and advocate for the consideration of a “Design for Benchmarking” methodology, where testability is integrated into the design process itself. By fostering a culture of transparent comparison built on shared protocols and open‐source tools, the soft robotics community can reduce effort duplication, accelerate innovation, and build the foundation for verifiable, real‐world impact.
Preti et al. (2026) studied this question.