Bacteria-Powered Soft Robots: The New Frontier in Biohybrid Design

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Minnesota have developed groundbreaking biohybrid robots powered by living Bacillus subtilis bacteria encapsulated in flexible polymer matrices. These microscopic four-legged walkers harness bacterial movements and metabolic processes for locomotion, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex programming. The bacteria function as both actuators and sensors, exhibiting collective intelligence through quorum sensing that allows the robots to navigate toward favorable conditions without centralized control. This technology blurs the line between living and non-living systems, with potential applications in targeted drug delivery, environmental contaminant detection, and remediation. The biodegradable nature of these robots presents advantages over conventional technologies, while raising important philosophical and regulatory questions about how we classify and govern such hybrid entities that are neither entirely artificial nor natural.

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1122768613715902465