This thesis discusses the differentiation of smart hydraulic and pneumatic actuators from conventional ones, as well as the components that make them smart. We discovered which trends the discussed actuators follow and where further developments will ensue in the future. We have discovered which manufacturers are competing in developing smart fluidic actuators. We discussed the operation and opportunities for some solutions available on the market. It was established that actuators are implementing ever-more multi-sensors and the acquired data is then archived in data clouds. We have made out that an increasing number of devices include an IO-Link module and communicate with each other in an IIoT environment, therefore becoming a part of a network of smart devices. Based on the examined articles we believe that industrial implementations of advanced smart muscles will follow, as well as further development of securing obtained data.
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