Researchers at Cornell University have developed proof-of-concept robots powered by fungal mycelia, the underground network that can produce mushrooms. This fungal network has the unique ability to sense light, chemical reactions, and communicate via electrical signals, making it a valuable component in hybrid robotics that could potentially detect crop conditions invisible to humans. The researchers created two robots – a soft, spider-like one and a four-wheeled buggy – using mycelia’s light-sensing capabilities to control them with ultraviolet light. The project required collaboration across various disciplines including mycology, neurobiology, and mechanical engineering. The fungal robot uses an electrical interface to record and process the mycelia’s electrophysical activity in real time, controlled by a neural circuit mimicking animals’ central nervous systems. The shroom-bots completed experiments successfully, responding to mycelia signals and UV light, with the potential to sense chemical reactions in the future. This technology could lead to robots that detect soil chemistry in crops, improving agricultural practices and mitigating harmful effects. The research paper can be found in Science Robotics and more information is available in the Cornell Chronicle.
