In today’s society, there is a growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics due to their potential to enhance workflow, communication, and technical capabilities. However, researchers are faced with the challenge of adapting robots quickly to external stimuli for more fluid movement in their environments. To achieve this, scientists are exploring the intricate systems of brain cells that communicate through neural networks.
A team of researchers from Cornell University aimed to address limitations in robotics that computer programs have struggled with, such as short lifespan, intensive maintenance, and low responsiveness to environmental changes. They investigated the potential of improving biohybrid neural networks using living materials combined with synthetic materials to enable faster reactions to unpredictable situations and problem-solving in robots.
Previous studies have utilized neural networks based on animal and plant cells to enhance robot movement and environmental responsiveness. However, maintaining these cells in artificial environments can be challenging and requires extensive care. The researchers in this study focused on using a more robust non-animal system based on fungi, which transmit information through electrical signals similar to animals.
Fungi create mycelial networks to transport nutrients, detect signals, and respond to environmental cues, making them resilient and less susceptible to contamination compared to animal cells. The researchers built two robots—one with independent arm movements and the other with forward-backward motion—and integrated the Eryngium mushroom fungus into their control boards to observe natural electrical signals and responses to stimuli.
By growing the fungi on the robot’s control interface and analyzing the bioelectrical signals, the researchers discovered that the network effectively controlled the robot’s functions. They also observed the fungus’s response to different light stimuli, leading to the conclusion that fungal biohybridization could revolutionize robotics with its adaptability and sensory capabilities.
The researchers conducted experiments to test the robot’s reaction to ultraviolet light, showcasing the fungus’s ability to control the robot’s movements solely through natural electrical signals. They proposed that fungal biohybridization offers a promising avenue for advancing robotics by leveraging fungi’s resilience and sensory capabilities for improved adaptability and reliability.
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Source: sciworthy.com
