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ScienceDaily — AI · October 23, 2026 · On the brief until November 6, 2026

MIT scientists build a tiny robot that swims using living muscle cells

Biomedical EngineeringRobotics
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MIT engineers built a thin swimming robot powered by a single layer of light-activated muscle cells on a gel frame. Flashes of light contract the cells to flap the fins and steer the device through water. The two-dimensional design reduces production costs and cell requirements compared to bulky three-dimensional biohybrid machines.

Summary written by AI Business Lens with an AI model from the article at sciencedaily.com. It is not the article, and the publisher has not reviewed it. For publishers.

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Engineers must balance substrate stiffness and groove geometry so living cells generate swimming force without peeling off the gel.

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