MIT robot

MIT researchers have developed a swimming robot powered by living muscle cells rather than traditional motors. The biohydraulic device moves through water using contractions from cultivated biological tissue, opening possibilities for soft, biocompatible robots for medical or research applications. The demonstration has drawn attention as a notable advance in biohybrid robotics.

MIT researchers have developed an aquabot — a paper-thin swimming robot powered by living muscle cells rather than motors or batteries. The cell-driven swimmer can navigate its way through a maze, demonstrating precise, untethered movement at tiny scales. The work highlights how biological actuators could enable soft, miniature robots for medicine or environmental sensing, and it is drawing attention across robotics and biotech communities.