Group Rashid Bashir (Rashid Bashir) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been trying to integrate biological "machine" in robotics. In 2013, they demonstrated a miniature biological robots marching alone, thanks to "knock" the living heart muscle cells of rats. However, these cells are constantly decreasing, which is extremely difficult to control the movements of the robot. The new model is formed strips skeletal muscle cells, and it runs from the external electrical pulses.
The design is inspired by biorobot muscle-tendon units in vertebrates. Framework of the hydrogel is printed on 3D-printer, strong enough and at the same time flexible, allows the robot to bend like a joint. Two columns attached to the frame striped muscles (in the same manner tendons attach muscles to bones) - the same columns act as limbs. Speed of movement is controlled by electrical impulses biorobot: the higher the frequency, the greater the speed. Skeletal muscle cells Biorobot helped to move more freely and at the same time increased the possibilities to control it.
Scientists are going to further complicate management system: for example, incorporated into the design of nerve cells. Then biorobots will be moving in different directions by light or chemical compounds.
However, imitation of nature - a starting point engineering work, says Bashir. The ability of cells to self-organization and movement under the influence of external stimuli should be applied in a purely technical systems: autonomous mobile sensors that react to the appearance of toxins robotic surgeons, "smart" implants.
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