University of Tokyo, Japan In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the University of Tokyo in Japan have unveiled a two-legged biohybrid robot that draws inspiration from human gait. Published in the journal Matter on January 26, the innovative robot combines muscle tissues with artificial materials, enabling it to walk, pivot, and make sharp turns, a feature essential for navigating obstacles.
Biohybrid Robot Overview
The research, led by corresponding author Shoji Takeuchi, focuses on biohybrid robots, which fuse biology and mechanics. The team aimed to leverage the flexibility and fine movements of human bodies to create a compact, efficient, and silent robot with a soft touch.
The two-legged robot features a foam buoy top and weighted legs, providing stability underwater. Its skeleton, primarily constructed from silicone rubber, allows for flexibility and conformity to muscle movements. Lab-grown skeletal muscle tissues are attached to the silicone rubber, serving as the actuators for movement.
When the muscle tissue is stimulated with electricity, it contracts, lifting the leg. The alternating electric stimulation between the left and right leg enables the robot to “walk” at a speed of 5.4 mm/min (0.002 mph). To make sharp turns, the researchers selectively stimulated one leg while keeping the other as an anchor, allowing the robot to make a 90-degree left turn in 62 seconds.
Future Enhancements
While the current method involves manually moving electrodes to apply an electric field individually to the legs, the researchers aim to integrate electrodes into the robot for more efficient movement. Future upgrades include incorporating joints, thicker muscle tissues, and a nutrient supply system to sustain living tissues. The team anticipates enabling more sophisticated and powerful movements in subsequent iterations.
The successful demonstration of the muscle-driven bipedal robot showcases its ability to walk, stop, and make fine-tuned turning motions. The researchers believe that these advancements represent significant progress in the field of biohybrid robots, marking a step toward more complex robotic systems inspired by biological functions.
Acknowledgments and Support
The project received support from the JST-Mirai Program, JST Fusion Oriented Research for disruptive Science and Technology, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Shoji Takeuchi expressed enthusiasm for the achievements, stating, “Though they might seem like small steps, they are, in fact, giant leaps forward for the biohybrid robots.”
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Reference: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240126140516.htm
