Biohybrid robot pivots for tight turns

Typical biohybrid robots can move in straight lines or perform large turns but struggle to carry out finer movements in smaller spaces, which makes them unsuitable for use in areas with several obstacles.

Developed by a team from the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo, the new robot can pivot on one foot, enabling it to turn within a small circle. Currently, it can only work underwater as the lab-grown muscle dries out when exposed to air. The researchers believe it will be possible to create future iterations that can walk on land by using thicker muscles with their own nutrient supplies and possibly cover them in artificial skin. Their findings are detailed in Matter.

In a statement, Professor Shoji Takeuchi, a specialist in biohybrid systems, said: “By incorporating living tissues as part of a robot, we can make use of the superior functions of living organisms. In our latest research, we combined lab-grown skeletal muscle tissue with flexible artificial legs and 3D-printed feet. Using the muscle tissue to move the legs allowed us to create a small robot with efficient, silent movements and a soft touch.”