# Futuristic Biohybrid Robots Case Western Reserve University's Bot Uses Muscles from a Sea Slug By Joey Haar | Published 2016-07-20 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biohybrid-robot References: [theverge](http://www.theverge.com/2016/7/19/12222058/biohybrid-robot-sea-slug) & [eurekalert.org](http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/cwru-rba071816.php) Researchers from [Case Western Reserve University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/c516-corn-head) have built a biohybrid robot, or a robot that incorporates biological material in order to function -- similar to cyborgs that populate the pages and screens of science fiction works. The researchers' bot uses muscles from the mouth of a sea slug to provide locomotion, while those muscles are attached to a 3D-printed frame that acts as an exoskeleton. When electric currents are alternately activated and deactivated in the organic muscle tissue, the robots "arms" flex and release in a crawling motion. To be sure, the movement is very rudimentary. Crawling along the ground, the biohybrid robots move like sea turtles -- albeit at only 0.43 centimeters per minute. The benefit of later versions of these bots, though, is that the energy needed for movement is far lower than with a fully battery-powered equivalent. Using biohybrid robotic technology, scientists can take robots farther than their predecessors. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Biohybrid Robotic Technology:** The development of biohybrid robotic technology creates opportunities for incorporating biological materials into robots, allowing for more efficient and low-energy movement. - **Muscle-driven Locomotion:** The use of muscles from living organisms, such as sea slugs, to enable locomotion in robots presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the robotics industry. - **Low-energy Robotic Movement:** The advancement of biohybrid robots that require less energy for movement opens up possibilities for creating energy-efficient robotic systems. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Robotics:** The robotics industry can explore the integration of biological materials in robots, leading to the development of more advanced and efficient robotic systems. - **Biotechnology:** The field of biotechnology can capitalize on the potential of biohybrid robotic technology to create novel applications and solutions for various industries. - **Medical Devices:** The medical devices industry can leverage biohybrid robotic technology to develop innovative prosthesis and assistive devices that mimic natural movement patterns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bug-Like Flying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/micro-insect-robot.md) - [Hybrid Movement Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/leo-robot.md) - [Algae-Powered Rover Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-rover.md) - [Maneuverable Centipede Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/centipede-robot.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Diminutive Bipedal Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bipedal-robots.md) - [Self-Replicating Living Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xenobots.md) - [Sea Urchin-Sucking Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marine-robot.md) - [Musculoskeletal Robot Dogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robot-dog-design.md)