Xenobots: AI-based living microscopic robots

We are familiar with the image of robots, a machine covered in metal and operated by complex electronic circuitry that can do human tasks in a clever and better manner.

- BIJU DHARMAPALAN

Fascinating stories of humanoid robots are depicted in movies and science fiction books. But today we can see innumerable applications of robots in every part of human life, from donning the role of a doctor in health care to a teacher in a school. Today with the developments in AI technology we have humanoid television anchors and radio jockeys.

Scientists and fiction writers have long visualized robots that are living or have emotions like human beings. The creation of Xenobots is the first step towards achieving that dream.

Xenobots are a type of bioengineered robots that are created using living cells. They were developed by researchers at the University of Vermont and Tufts University in 2020.

Constructed from 500-1000 living cells and with a width of less than 1mm, Xenobots were generated using embryonic stem cells from Xenopus laevis frogs during the blastocyst phase. The resultant Xenobot possesses dimension of approximately 1 millimeter and are comprised of a few hundred to a few thousand cells. Xenobots were created by combining bioscience, artificial intelligence, and computer science.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Xenobots is their ability to exhibit simple behaviours without any external control or programming. Due to their biological nature, they can interact with their environment and respond to various stimuli, such as light and chemicals.

This makes them potentially useful for a range of applications, including environmental cleanup, targeted drug delivery, and even medical procedures.

Additionally, Xenobots have been shown to have self-healing properties. When damaged, the cells can repair themselves and restore the robot's functionality. This regenerative ability is a unique characteristic derived from the living nature of the cells.