Bio-Bots: When Living Cells Meet Robots!

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1051442226534055937

Biohybrid robots are a fusion of biological elements and technology, combining living tissues or cells with robotic components to perform tasks out of reach for traditional machines. This emerging field marries engineering, biology, and materials science, aiming to mirror the adaptability of living organisms. Early attempts to create biohybrid robots sought to mimic natural movements but were limited by synthetic materials. The shift towards combining synthetic parts with organic tissues led to the development of robots that harness actual muscle tissue for movement. A recent landmark achievement was engineering muscle tissue from stem cells that could be integrated into robotic frameworks. The potential applications of biohybrid robots extend to fields such as medicine, environmental monitoring, and industrial manufacturing, promising more natural movement in prosthetics, reduced need for animal testing, and more sensitive ecological monitoring. However, their development also raises ethical questions about the welfare of living tissues and the need for updated guidelines on safety standards and environmental risks. Advances in materials science, computing, and biotechnology will be necessary for the evolution of biohybrid robots.