Fungi-Controlled Robots: The Future of Biohybrid Technology
Written by: Erik Lang, Love Mushrooms Co-Founder
Date: 2024-09-23
Harnessing Fungal Intelligence: The Next Evolution in Biohybrid Robotics
In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists from Cornell University have introduced an innovative class of robots controlled by fungi. This development marks a significant leap forward in biohybrid technology, a field that combines biological systems with mechanical components to create responsive, adaptable machines. What sets this new breed of robots apart is their integration with fungal mycelia, the vegetative part of mushrooms, offering unique advantages in terms of resilience and environmental adaptability.
The Concept of Biohybrid Robots
Biohybrid robots are machines that incorporate living cells or tissues with synthetic components. While researchers have explored biohybrid technology using plant and animal cells before, these systems have often been fragile, costly, and limited in lifespan. The Cornell team has overcome many of these challenges by employing fungal mycelia, specifically from king oyster mushrooms, to create a more durable and versatile biohybrid robot.
The researchers built two distinct robots for their study: a soft, spider-like robot and a wheeled model, both controlled by the fungal mycelia. By embedding the mycelia within the electronics of the robot, they enabled the machines to sense and respond to environmental stimuli. As lead researcher Rob Shepherd explains, “By growing mycelium into the electronics of a robot, we were able to allow the biohybrid machine to sense and respond to the environment.”
A New Era of Environmental Sensing
The potential for fungus-controlled robots extends beyond agriculture and extreme environments. As the technology evolves, these biohybrid machines could become more autonomous and capable of operating in unpredictable conditions. Lead author Anand Mishra notes, “Living systems respond to touch, they respond to light, they respond to heat… If you wanted to build future robots, how can they work in an unexpected environment? We can leverage these living systems.”
The use of fungal mycelia in robotics represents a major shift in how we think about machine autonomy and environmental interaction. The study, published in Science Robotics, lays the groundwork for future innovations that could transform industries ranging from farming to environmental monitoring, and potentially open new frontiers in exploration.
The Future of Biohybrid Robotics
As researchers continue to explore the possibilities of fungus-controlled robots, the implications for sustainability and resource management become clear. The sheer abundance of fungi and their ability to thrive in challenging environments suggest that this technology could provide cost-effective solutions for countries and communities with limited resources.
In the long term, biohybrid robots may play a vital role in addressing global challenges, from food security to climate change. By integrating living systems into machines, scientists are not only improving the adaptability and resilience of robots but also pushing the boundaries of how we interact with and protect our environment.
Fungus-controlled robots are still in their early stages, but the potential for widespread applications is undeniable. As Rob Shepherd aptly puts it, “This paper is the first of many that will use the fungal kingdom to provide environmental sensing and command signals to robots to improve their levels of autonomy.”
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/fungus-learns-to-control-biohybrid-robot
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adk8019
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adk8019