Questions for ‘Robots made of cells blur the line between creature and machine’
![an illustration of a "biohybrid robot" a green motor neuron cell blob on top of a wishbone shaped skeleton. The neuron connects to muscle tissue around the neck of the wishbone, so the legs can act as pinchers and create a swimming motion. The whole robot is encased in a clear covering.](https://www.snexplores.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/1400_living_robots_feat-1030x580.jpg)
Engineers in Illinois have designed a “biohybrid” robot, illustrated here. Cells called motor neurons (green) trigger muscle tissue (red) to contract, closing the robot’s pinchers and allowing it to swim.
Graphic courtesy Michael Vincent