🤖MIT's Light-Controlled Soft Robot Flaps Through Water
MIT's light-powered robot swims through water with muscle cells
TL;DR
MIT engineers created a soft robot that flaps through water in response to light. The robot, just a few inches long, uses muscle cells to move, making it the first of its kind. This could lead to more advanced, light-controlled robots.
MIT engineers have developed a soft robot that can swim through water by flapping its fins in response to light. This robot, about the size of a stick of gum, uses genetically engineered muscle cells to move. The cells twitch when exposed to light, causing the fins to flap and propel the robot forward. This breakthrough is significant for robotics, as it's the first example of a two-dimensional, muscle-powered robot capable of locomotion. The robot can swim a distance of about four times its body length in one minute, showcasing its strength relative to its size. Researchers optimized the gel skeleton for maximum muscle movement and force, using square grooves and a half-millimeter-thin film of gel. This development could pave the way for more advanced, light-controlled robots in the future.
Key Points
The robot's skeleton is a film of gel, about the length and width of a stick of gum.
Each fin is covered with a layer of live muscle cells, much thinner than a single strand of hair.
Cells are genetically engineered to twitch in response to light, causing fins to flap.
The robot can swim four times its body length in one minute, showcasing its strength.
Square grooves in the gel were found to be optimal for muscle alignment and movement.
Why It Matters
This light-controlled robot, developed by MIT engineers, is the first of its kind to use muscle cells for locomotion. If you're working on robotics projects that require precise, light-based control, this could be a game-changer. The robot's ability to swim and navigate through water with muscle cells opens up new possibilities for advanced, light-powered robots.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Enjoyed this article?
Get it daily. 7am. Free. Reads in 5 minutes.
Join 3,549 builders reading daily.