Real muscles let tiny robots jump, swim, and grasp

Researchers at ETH Zurich have created bioactuators that enable small robots to jump, swim, walk, and grasp using muscle tissue grown from mouse cells. The key innovation lies in the synergy between the living muscle and an artificial hydrogel scaffold, where both components are designed together. The scaffold, made of a soft, water-rich material, bends and stretches like natural tissue.

By combining computer simulation and laboratory testing, the researchers determined optimal configurations for muscle tissue placement and scaffold properties. This approach results in muscle actuators that can flex noticeably more than previous systems. The bioactuators' ability to contract strongly allows the robots to perform complex movements.

For instance, one actuator can jump up by five millimeters, while another can move at a speed relative to its body length faster than any previously reported biohybrid robot. These advances hinge on the seamless integration of living tissue with a well-designed scaffold, with fine grooves in the scaffold anchoring the tissue effectively.

However, the current designs still rely on nutrient solutions to maintain muscle viability, and challenges remain in creating long-lasting robots and controlling the variability of living tissue. The study highlights the potential of combining biology, materials science, robotics, and computer-aided design to create robotic systems inspired by living organisms.