Origami concepts of folding 2D to 3D have been used on robots to make them capable of doing more things. It help robots to have better sensing when applied to robot sensors (like helping the robot identify if an object is moving or not), and it allows robots to be more flexible when applied to the robot’s anatomy. Though materials still put limits on what origami robots are capable of, they already have a lot of advantages in comparison to normal robots.

Learn more at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-37158-9 

Mechanical engineers at NASA have been incorporating origami for sending their solar panel array and telescope to space. They apply different folds from origami on what they are designing in order to more easily send their equipment to space. By sending folded ones and opening them in space (with minimal assembly required), NASA is able to send solar panels and telescopes that are a lot bigger than before which is an improvement allows them to accomplish more in space.

Learn more at: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/solar-power-origami-style (solar panel) and https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/webb-and-origami/ (telescope)

As drug delivery to the body often requires an extremely small device to work, the concept of folding from origami has allowed advancements in drug delivery. The devices inspired by origami can be used in many different parts of the body and even for surgery or implants. Origami allowed an for an easier method to make biomedical applications achieve their purpose so that improvements or new devices can be made.

Learn more at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7807481/ 

Some origami concepts have been applied in civil engineering for creating structures, but they have not been used to the full potential. Ideally, origami could be used to make materials adaptable and able to be packed densely (efficient and easier to transport) while still being stable enough to withstand heavy loads. Recent research have explored ways to accomplish this, such as with the MUTOIS method. Though current systems have not been able to create structures that achieve all three of these, incorporation of origami to make improvements in civil engineering is realistic and likely to happen in the future.

Learn more at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46667-0 

The Rad Sampler is a device used to study marine life by capturing and releasing the small animals without harming them. With the use origami concepts on the joints and petals, it is able to fold (close) so the creature inside can be observed with cameras and then unfold (open) so the creature can be released back to the ocean. With this relatively simple design, scientists are able to easily study the small marine animals that would have been a lot harder otherwise. 

Learn more at: https://newatlas.com/rotary-actuated-dodecahedron-sampler/55536/