Compliant manipulators are provided, in which the manipulators include a plurality of slideably interlocked filaments each having a proximate end and a distal end. The interlocked filaments can be formed from a flexible material. The compliant manipulators can also include at least one filament-actuating device operatively connected to the respective distal ends of the plurality of slideably interlocked filaments. The at least one filament-actuating device can be manipulated directly or remotely to push and/or pull the respective filaments to impart a desired movement to the manipulator. The stiffness or flexibility of the manipulators can also be controlled to provide varying degrees of stiffness during use.