Powered by muscle cells, a paper-thin robot swims through watery maze
Researchers at MIT created a thin robot powered by muscle cells that can swim through water using light to control its movement. The robot has gel fins covered in genetically modified muscle cells that twitch when exposed to light. It successfully navigated a simple watery maze.
A team at MIT developed a soft robot with gel fins covered in muscle cells that respond to light, allowing it to swim through water. The robot can change direction by flashing light on different fins.
This technology could lead to more efficient and biocompatible robots for tasks like environmental monitoring or medical applications. It shows potential for creating small, energy-efficient devices that work in water.
The robot uses living cells and light control, showing a creative and sustainable approach to robotics. It highlights how biology and engineering can work together to solve real-world problems.
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