Balloon actuation for laminated devices

Balloon actuators are incorporated into a laminated mechanism by bonding patterned flexible layers (e.g., with an adhesive) to form at least one balloon with a central unbonded region that forms a hermetic chamber; at least one of the patterned flexible layers is selectively bonded to more-rigid parts of the laminated mechanism in a configuration such that pressurization of the hermetic chamber(s) produces relative linear or rotational displacement of at least one of the more-rigid parts with respect to another of the more-rigid parts.