Scientists from the Harvard Wyss Institute managed to create a robotic stingray. The artificial animal is believed to be of use in the creation of artificial organs. The robotic stingray will change the future of both robotics and medicine.

The prototype created by the Harvard researchers has four different layers. The first is a silicone layer that makes up the body of the artificial animal. The second is a skeleton made out of gold wire. Then comes a second silicone layer that is used for skin insulation. The fourth and final layer is made out of live cells.

The live cells are harvested from rats. Approximately 200,000 genetically-engineered cells were used to create the robotic stingray. These special cells measure roughly 16 millimeters in length and weigh somewhere around 10 grams.

A specific light wavelength is applied to the genetically-modified cells in order to make them move. When exposed to the special light, the robotic stingray moves and flabs, mimicking the behavior of a real stingray.

According to Kit Parker, the lead researcher of the study, the bot follows the source of light automatically. It does that while swimming in special liquid rich in nutrients made to keep the rat cells alive and responsive.

For the moment, the robotic stingray could not survive outside the laboratory. The problem is that the rat cells that make it so special have no immune system and the bot could be attacked by all sorts of fungal or bacterial pathogens that could instantly kill it.

“Roboticists and engineers can see different ways to use biologist cells as building materials. Marine biologists can take a look to better understand why muscle tissues in rays are built and organized the way they are.”

The scientists declared that it is possible to construct an artificial heart in the near future. The artificial organ could be made from muscle cells that would behave similarly to a natural heart.

Parker mentioned that the team chose to build the robotic stingray because both the artificial heart and the stingray need to overcome their need of motion and fluid.

The stingray needs to swim, while the heart must pump blood. By creating an artificial robotic stingray, the Harvard researchers managed to mimic the way in which the animal responds to the ever-changing conditions.

Image source: Wikipedia