ETH Zurich researchers grow living muscle tissue for biohybrid robots
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed laboratory-grown mouse muscle tissue to create small robots capable of jumping, swimming, walking and grasping.
New muscle actuators improve robot motion
The team demonstrated that these tissue-based actuators allow the devices to move with ten times more efficiency than earlier versions. Motion improvements come from how the biological material interacts with an artificial scaffold rather than just the amount of tissue used.
Biohybrid design integrates living and artificial parts
Professor Robert Katzschmann oversees the project within the Soft Robotics Lab to build robots in a more natural way. The biohybrid approach combines biological muscle cells with man-made electronics and mechanical structures to enhance dexterity.
Grown tissue enables complex physical actions
These small robots can now perform specific tasks like swimming and walking alongside their ability to grasp objects. The results suggest that flesh-covered machines may soon be able to move among humans.
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