MIT unveils tiny light-activated swimming robot using real muscle cells
MIT unveiled a tiny swimming robot that moves using real muscle cells instead of electronics.
It's about the size of a stick of gum and swims by flexing its muscle layer when light shines on it: no wires or batteries needed.
The robot can even steer through a mini maze at speeds up to four times its own length a minute.
MIT design could need fewer cells
This design could need fewer cells than the thicker muscle blocks used in other biohybrid robots, which could make future biohybrid robots smaller and more affordable.
The team used a stiffer gelatin-based gel with square-bottomed grooves to help the muscle cells line up as strong fibers, so the robot's fin moves better and lasts longer, over 30 days with daily light pulses.
Researchers say the next challenge is to make that construction do more, with more complex layouts that might eventually produce stronger swimming or other movements.