MIT News breed · Science

Muscle-Powered Robot Swims Through Water

MIT engineers have developed a paper-thin, muscle-powered swimming robot capable of navigating watery environments. This novel design utilizes a single layer of genetically engineered muscle cells to achieve locomotion.

The robot's structure consists of a gel film, approximately the size of a stick of gum, with two halves acting as fins. Each fin is coated with a layer of live muscle cells, thinner than a human hair, engineered to twitch when exposed to light.

By directing light onto specific fins, researchers can control the robot's movement, enabling it to swim and change direction. The robot can achieve speeds of about four body lengths per minute, comparable to a cow shark.

This is the first instance of a two-dimensional, muscle-powered robot capable of movement. Previous biohybrid robots relied on bulkier, 3D muscle structures.

The team optimized the gel 'skeleton' on which the muscle cells grow by adjusting its composition, stiffness, and groove patterns. Stiffer gels with square-bottomed grooves promoted better cell alignment and stronger muscle tissue.

Using gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and a training routine of flashing lights, the muscle cells were strengthened. The resulting robot, with two independent fins, successfully navigated a maze by responding to light stimuli.

While the current design is basic, future goals include optimizing the body for faster swimming. Potential applications include environmental monitoring in aquatic settings, leveraging the soft and self-healing properties of living tissue.

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