Researchers at Harvard have turned ordinary knitting into a way to make advanced fabrics.
These fabrics can snap between different shapes instead of staying fixed.
They can also perform useful tasks, such as gripping, bending, or supporting objects.
Scientists refer to materials like these as "smart textiles".
Because the fabrics are soft and flexible, they are ideal for building soft robots.
They could also lead to clothing that adapts to the person wearing it.
In medicine, similar fabrics might be used as gentle supports for the body.
The research shows that a very old craft can inspire brand-new technology.