Biomimetic design based on inspiration from nature for solutions for engineering problems has been practiced throughout human history. Invertebrate animals without a skeletal struc-ture have exible, robust and agile movements. For example, the octopus arm which is able to grip objects by exerting large forces, moves with a wide range of velocities, and manip-ulates delicate objects, without any rigid skeletal elements. Two key applications of such biomimetic systems are compliant and lightweight robotic arms for tightly constrained spaces and energy-e cient muscle actuators for biomimetic locomotion. Inspired by octopus arm, in this thesis we investiagte di erent design concepts and require-ments for using dielectric electroactive po...