Living materials represent a groundbreaking frontier in engineering materials for future robotics, incorporating biological living cells into their design. These bio-hybrid robots are not only dynamic and intelligent but also harness the unparalleled capabilities of living matter, such as growth, regeneration, morphing, biodegradation, and environmental adaptation. Such attributes position bio-hybrid technologies as a transformative force in the development of robotics, promising enhanced dexterity, adaptive behaviors, sustainable production, robust performance, and environmental stewardship.

Pioneers in bio-hybrid technologies will unveil the transformative potential of living systems in crafting sophisticated, intelligent machines. The invited workshop speakers will delve into the latest advances in manipulating biological materials from single cells to tissue levels, engineering biointerfaces, producing predictable motion, and harnessing embodied bio-intelligence. This exploration will extend to unraveling the mechanisms that enable programmability and responsive behavior in cells, shedding light on how living materials can drive technological advancement towards sustainable production and harmonious interactions between humans and their environment.

This workshop aims to foster new collaborations and inspire original ideas at the nexus of materials science, biology, informatics, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Together, we will explore innovative, unconventional research avenues that enhance the controllability and practical utility of biological robots, paving the way for a new era of robotic research.

Location:
Room Encore 3 on 2nd Floor of Hard Rock Hotel, San Diego, CA
Zoom Participation: https://ethz.zoom.us/j/63655486105

Meet the AWARD WINNERS!

Congratulations to:

Prof. Sasha Rayshubskiy (Harvard University)

IEEE RoboSoft Most Alive Robots Award

for

“The fruit fly, Drosophila Melanogaster, as a micro-robotics platform“

Authored by Kenichi Iwasaki, Charles Neuhauser, Chris Stokes, and Aleksandr Rayshubskiy (Rowland Institute at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA)

and

Aiste Balciunaite (ETH Zurich)

IEEE RoboSoft Bio-hybrid Roboticist Award 2024

for

“Bilayered biofabrication unlocks the potential of skeletal muscle for biohybrid soft robots“

Authored by Aiste Balciunaite, Oncay Yasa, Miriam Filippi, Mike Y. Michelis, Robert K. Katzschmann (Soft Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich)

DETAILED PROGRAM

8:00. Dr. Miriam Filippi and Prof. Robert Katzschmann “Welcome and Introduction”

Session I – Cell-level Bio-Hybrids

8:10. Dr. Yunus Alapan “Biohybrid microswimmers with stimuli-responsive biological soft carriers” – ONLINE

8:35. Prof. Veronica Magdanz “Using sperm as components for biohybrid microrobots with applications in reproductive technology” – ONLINE

8:50. Dr. Juliane Simmchen “Bio-to-life transition: how can microswimmers (enzyme-driven reactions or hybrid bacteria motors) be sustainably fabricated and controlled?” – ONLINE

9.05. Prof. Simone Schürle “Engineering and controlling magnetically responsive bacteria-based microrobots for enhanced drug delivery” – ONLINE

9:20. Prof. Bahareh Behkam “Controllable microbiorobotics in fighting cancer and other biomedical tasks” – ONLINE

Session II – Multicellular bio-hybrid technologies and biofabrication

9:35. Prof. Taher Saif “Lessons learnt from living machines – opportunities and challenges” – IN PERSON

10:00 – 10:20. Break

10:20. Prof. Victoria A. Webster-Wood “Advantages and challenges in top-down techniques for biohybrid robots from farmable sources” – IN PERSON

10:35. Prof. Nicole Xu “Bio-hybrid robotic jellyfish: Applications and implications in biology, robotics, oceanography, and ethics.” – IN PERSON

Session III – Bio-actuators: fabrication, design, and performance

10:50. Prof. Maria Guix “Modulating control and functionality in skeletal muscle robots” – IN PERSON

11:15. Prof. Ritu Raman “Neuromuscular tissue engineering” – ONLINE

11:30. Prof. Lorenzo Vannozzi “3D skeletal muscle tissue challenges in biofabrication and prediction” – IN PERSON

11:45. Prof. Kit Parker “Using Cardiac Biophysics to Design Biohybrid Robotics” – IN PERSON

12:00 – 13.20. Lunch @ Old Spaghetti Factory

13:20. Prof. Robert Katzschmann “Bio-hybrid materials, designs, and robots” – IN PERSON
Includes a showcase of bio-hybrid components: electronic elements, synthetic components, microscopic slides of tissue sections.

Session IV – New avenues for sustainable and multifunctional biorobotics

13.45. Prof. Donato Romano “Insect-robot interaction and biohybrid information transfer: a paradigm shifts for biological investigation and sustainable environmental management” – ONLINE

14:10. Prof. Hirotaka Sato “Insect–computer hybrid systems, search and rescue missions, autonomous navigation, recognition of unstructured environment” – ONLINE

14:25. Dr. Melanie Anderson “Using insect antennae as biohybrid sensors for dynamic aerial odor localization” – IN PERSON

14:40. Prof. Thomas Schmickl “Studying Complex Honeybee Behaviours with the Help of Robots” – IN PERSON

14:55. Prof. Shoji Takeuchi “Bio-hybrid Technologies and Biofabrication” – ONLINE

15:10. Dr. Douglas Blackiston “Leveraging developmental biology and AI-assisted predictions to build new classes of organic machines at several size scales” – ONLINE

15:30 -15:50 Break + Poster Session Start.

15:50 3-Minute Lightning Talks + Posters – IN PERSON and ONLINE
Aiste Balciunaite
Jaime Pietrantuono
Lewis Jones
Diana Mock
Anna Bock
Pablo Paniagua
Sasha Rayshubskiy
MennaAllah Soliman
Arman Hajizadeh

16:30. Round Table Discussion.
Discussion among participants will focus on the key questions: (1) Compared to synthetic robots, what unique functions can bio-hybrid robots achieve and are yet unexplored? (2) What new materials are needed? (3) What are the main challenges facing living soft robotics? (4) How can engineered bio-actuators match their counterparts’ performances? (5) How can we scale them up? (6) How can we make biofabrication more predictable and sustainable?

17:00. Announcement of the Awards for Lightning Talks.

17:10. Closing Remarks.
Conclusion of the workshop, future steps about possible new events and publication of the discussion results, and final words from the organizers.

ORGANIZERS

This workshop is organized by Dr. Miriam Filippi, Prof. Robert Katzschmann, and Aiste Balciunaite from the Soft Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich. Our team creates robots featuring soft and compliant materials, bio-inspired designs, and bio-hybrid components.

Curious? Feel free to contact us!