This paper provides a comprehensive review of soft robotics, focusing on actuation methods, materials, and applications. Soft robots, known for their flexibility and adaptability, are used in various tasks such as flower picking, fruit harvesting, in vivo targeted treatment, and information feedback. The review covers ten actuation methods, including humidity, temperature, pH, electricity, pressure, light, biological, and hybrid drives. It also discusses the use of materials like hydrogels, shape-memory materials (SMMs), and flexible materials such as elastomers and fibers. The applications of soft robots are categorized into areas such as camouflage, medical devices, electrical equipment, and grippers. The paper highlights the technical challenges and future directions in soft robotics, emphasizing the need for further research to improve the functionality and quality of soft robots. The review aims to provide a reference for researchers and practitioners to enhance the development and application of soft robots.This paper provides a comprehensive review of soft robotics, focusing on actuation methods, materials, and applications. Soft robots, known for their flexibility and adaptability, are used in various tasks such as flower picking, fruit harvesting, in vivo targeted treatment, and information feedback. The review covers ten actuation methods, including humidity, temperature, pH, electricity, pressure, light, biological, and hybrid drives. It also discusses the use of materials like hydrogels, shape-memory materials (SMMs), and flexible materials such as elastomers and fibers. The applications of soft robots are categorized into areas such as camouflage, medical devices, electrical equipment, and grippers. The paper highlights the technical challenges and future directions in soft robotics, emphasizing the need for further research to improve the functionality and quality of soft robots. The review aims to provide a reference for researchers and practitioners to enhance the development and application of soft robots.