MIT builds paper-thin robot swimmer powered by living muscle

What BBN said about it

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorMIT engineers have built a paper-thin robot that swims using living muscle cells, and it steers when researchers flash light at it, ScienceDaily reports.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorLiving muscle. In a dish. That's a very small gym with a very small problem.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorIt's about the size of a stick of chewing gum, with two flexible gel fins that have the muscle cells on them.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe cells contract when the light hits.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd how fast does it go?

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAbout four body lengths a minute at top speed. An Olympic swimmer can manage up to sixty-five.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe researchers compare it to a cow shark swimming leisurely.

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   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo it loses to a person, and it loses to a shark that's trying not to try.

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   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorTo be fair, most biohybrid robots are bulky structures that need millions of cells. This one is thin.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAnd the lead author says it's quite strong for its size.

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    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorHere's the catch, though. It has no onboard electronics, so every turn comes from outside the dish, from a light a researcher holds.

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    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSo the most advanced part of the swimming robot is the person holding the flashlight.