Researchers have found a new way to enhance robot intelligence using mushrooms, specifically the fungal network found in king oyster mushrooms. This network, known as mycelial threads, can generate voltage spikes when exposed to ultraviolet light. In a recent experiment published in Science Robotics, researchers used these fungal tendrils to activate robots’ motors through attached electrodes.
These robots are part of a category known as biohybrids, which incorporate biological components into mechanical machines. Previous biohybrid projects have included a jellyfish with cardiac cells for propulsion and a two-legged robot powered by laboratory-grown skeletal muscle. However, the use of fungi in this study represents a novel approach that expands the possibilities for engineers, according to biohybrid researcher Rashid Bashir from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Fungi are cost-effective and excel at detecting subtle changes in their environment, such as light, nutrients, and gases like carbon dioxide and ammonia. This makes them ideal candidates for agricultural applications, such as fruit harvesting or soil enrichment. The initial experiment focused on light sensing as a proof-of-concept, with future plans to incorporate chemical detection capabilities into the robots.
One of the challenges faced by the researchers was translating the fungal signals into motion for the robots. Fungi naturally produce a baseline current as they break down sugar, and lead author Anand Kumar Mishra experimented with ways to minimize or harness this additional information. This resulted in robots that could respond to all signals but moved faster in response to UV light, which produced larger signals.
In the next phase of their research, the team aims to integrate fungi throughout the robots to enable sensing capabilities from all directions. By wiring the robots in a specific manner, they could potentially respond to stimuli locally, such as fungus-controlled fruit pickers reaching for ripe peaches in different locations. Additionally, the researchers will assess the longevity of the fungal tendrils to ensure the robots’ durability.
Despite the challenges faced during the three-year-long design process, the researchers were thrilled with the success of their proof-of-concept experiment. Watching the mechanical starfish robot move in response to UV light was a moment of excitement and achievement for the team. As they continue to refine their technology, Shepherd and Mishra envision a future where fungi-powered robots play a vital role in various applications, from agriculture to environmental monitoring.
