Witness the dance of a mushroom in a robot body: A fascinating spectacle | Breaking Science & Technology Update
Researchers have found a novel method of controlling robots using mycelium, the fungal network connected to mushroom roots.
Scientists at Cornell University and the University of Florence developed two new robots, one resembling a starfish and the other on wheels, and integrated mycelium into the electronics.
The fungus reacted to different light conditions, generating electrical impulses that caused the robots to move.
Due to the adaptability of fungal networks in various environments, they are well-suited for controlling robots in unexpected settings.
“Living systems react to stimuli like touch, light, heat, and unknown signals,” explained Anand Mishra, the lead author of the study from Cornell’s Organic Robotics Lab.
“This is why we believe that leveraging living systems in building future robots would enable them to operate effectively in diverse environments and respond to any unknown input.”
The robots responded to natural spikes in the fungus’s signals by walking and rolling.
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Subsequently, the researchers employed ultraviolet light to stimulate the fungus, causing changes in the robots’ movements.
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This experiment showcased the fungus’s ability to respond to its surroundings.
“In this instance, we used light as the stimulus, but in the future, it could be chemical,” noted Rob Shepherd, the senior author of the study.
“Potential applications for future robots include sensing soil chemistry in crop rows and determining when to apply more fertilizer, potentially mitigating agricultural downstream effects like harmful algal blooms.”
