🤖MIT Builds Tiny Robot That Swims With Living Muscle Cells
A new biohybrid robot swims using light-controlled muscle cells
TL;DR
MIT researchers created a biohybrid robot that swims using genetically modified muscle cells. The robot, the size of a stick of gum, can turn and swim through mazes. This innovation could reduce manufacturing costs and improve movement efficiency in biohybrid robots.
MIT researchers built a tiny robot that swims using living muscle cells. The robot, roughly the size of a stick of gum, uses a single layer of genetically modified muscle cells to move. These cells contract when exposed to light, allowing the robot to swim and turn through a simple underwater maze. The robot's speed, about four times its body length per minute, is comparable to a cow shark's leisurely pace. This development marks the first demonstration of a very thin, two-dimensional robot powered by living muscle tissue, potentially reducing manufacturing costs and improving movement efficiency. The robot's movements are controlled by directing light onto its fins, enabling precise control over speed and direction.
Key Points
MIT's robot swims using a single layer of genetically modified muscle cells, each thinner than a human hair.
The robot's speed is approximately four times its body length per minute, comparable to a cow shark's leisurely pace.
The robot successfully navigated an underwater maze, demonstrating its ability to turn and swim.
Light controls the robot's movements by triggering muscle contractions in its fins.
This technology builds on previous work with an artificial muscle disk inspired by the human iris.
Why It Matters
This biohybrid robot could revolutionize the manufacturing of smaller, more efficient robots. If you're working with biohybrid systems, this development could reduce costs and improve performance. The robot's light-controlled muscle cells offer precise control over movement, making it a promising tool for researchers and engineers.
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