Researchers from Case Western Reserve University have built a biohybrid robot, or a robot that incorporates biological material in order to function -- similar to cyborgs that populate the pages and screens of science fiction works. The researchers' bot uses muscles from the mouth of a sea slug to provide locomotion, while those muscles are attached to a 3D-printed frame that acts as an exoskeleton. When electric currents are alternately activated and deactivated in the organic muscle tissue, the robots "arms" flex and release in a crawling motion.
To be sure, the movement is very rudimentary. Crawling along the ground, the biohybrid robots move like sea turtles -- albeit at only 0.43 centimeters per minute. The benefit of later versions of these bots, though, is that the energy needed for movement is far lower than with a fully battery-powered equivalent.
Using biohybrid robotic technology, scientists can take robots farther than their predecessors.
Futuristic Biohybrid Robots
Case Western Reserve University's Bot Uses Muscles from a Sea Slug
Trend Themes
1. Biohybrid Robotic Technology - The development of biohybrid robotic technology creates opportunities for incorporating biological materials into robots, allowing for more efficient and low-energy movement.
2. Muscle-driven Locomotion - The use of muscles from living organisms, such as sea slugs, to enable locomotion in robots presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the robotics industry.
3. Low-energy Robotic Movement - The advancement of biohybrid robots that require less energy for movement opens up possibilities for creating energy-efficient robotic systems.
Industry Implications
1. Robotics - The robotics industry can explore the integration of biological materials in robots, leading to the development of more advanced and efficient robotic systems.
2. Biotechnology - The field of biotechnology can capitalize on the potential of biohybrid robotic technology to create novel applications and solutions for various industries.
3. Medical Devices - The medical devices industry can leverage biohybrid robotic technology to develop innovative prosthesis and assistive devices that mimic natural movement patterns.