US scientists have developed hybrid robots that they can control remotely using RFID technology and targeted light pulses.
Disturbing extraneous light
The mouse muscle tissue is grown on a soft 3D printed polymer skeleton. The first biobots powered by it could be controlled to a certain extent by light pulses, but not particularly precisely. In addition, it only worked in the laboratory because outside the control was disturbed by extraneous light.
The solution came from Northwestern University’s John A. Rogers, whose team helped integrate tiny wireless microelectronics and micro-LEDs. This allows the eBiobots to be remotely controlled. The light-emitting diodes ensure the movement. They are activated from a distance by an electromagnetic field. It induces an electric current in a tiny coil that generates electricity, causing the LEDs to light up. It is the same principle as with electronic codes (RFID).
Targeted muscle stimulation
The LEDs stimulate the light-sensitive muscle, which contracts or expands, causing the legs to move and the machines to run. The micro-LEDs emit their light in such a targeted manner that they activate specific muscle groups, which means that the eBiobot can move in any desired direction.
The design allows for the integration of chemical and biological sensors, for example for environmental monitoring, or 3D-printed scaffolds for transporting things the biobots encounter, says Youngdeok Kim, who completed the work as a PhD student.
