It’s Alive! Franken-Fungi and Biohybrid Robots

In an emerging research field, biohybrid robotics, uses living tissue to assist a variety of robots.

One recent example comes from Cornell University where engineers grew fungal mycelia on electrodes on two robots.  They were interested in harnessing fungi’s ability to sense light, heat, and chemicals.  When the fungi were stimulated by environmental cues it communicated to the robots through electrical signals causing the robots to move in certain ways demonstrating responses to their environment.

Another example built at the University of Washington uses a moth antenna attached to a robotic drone to detect scents. Called the Smellicopter, the moth antenna is extremely sensitive to odors.  Using machine learning software taught the robot to identify unique patterns of different odors.

Using living tissue helps scientists go beyond the limitations of technology.  The mushrooming field of biohybrid robotics offers an array of practical applications for the future.

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