Engineers Gave a Mushroom a Robot Body and Let It Run Wild

Researchers from Cornell University and the University of Florence have created a biohybrid machine by connecting a culture of king oyster mushrooms to electronic devices. By using the mushroom's electrophysiological activity, the team was able to control the movements of a soft robot and a four-wheeled vehicle. The mushroom culture responded to stimuli, such as UV light, by sending signals that were then translated into mechanical responses. The researchers were able to influence the mushroom's natural impulses and override them to achieve desired outcomes. This research demonstrates the potential of using living systems to control robots and create a deeper connection between humans and nature. The study, published in Science Robotics, opens new possibilities for biohybrid systems and the integration of living organisms into robotics.