Research teams from the University of Vermont, Tufts University and Harvard University in the United States have collaborated to create the world’s first living robots, or xenobots. Xenobots are programmable organisms composed of biological cells that can perform specific tasks, such as swimming, pushing particles, carrying payloads, etc. They can also self-repair and self-repair, and have certain intelligence and memory. They are assembled from skin and heart cells in the early embryos of African clawed frogs and are a new form of life.
Characteristics of Xenobots
Xenobots are different from and related to both traditional robots and organisms. They are different from traditional robots because they are not made of non-biological materials such as metals, plastics or electronic components, but are made of living cells. They also do not require external power or controllers to drive or command, but rely on their own metabolism and signals to operate or collaborate. Xenobots are different from traditional organisms because they are not formed by natural processes such as natural selection or genetic variation, but are designed and assembled by artificial intelligence technology. They also do not have genomes or cell types in the traditional sense, but are a mixture of cells from different sources and functions.
Heterogeneous robots are similar to traditional robots and organisms because they all have some common characteristics and capabilities. For example, they can all sense the environment, move positions, perform tasks, adapt to changes, etc. They can also be considered as an intelligent body or agent, that is, an entity with certain goals and behavioral rules.
Application of Heterogeneous Robots
Heterogeneous robots can swim in the water, that is, use their own heart cells to generate propulsion to change their position and direction. This is a completely new way of biological movement, which is different from traditional fins, limbs, wings, etc. Heterogeneous robots do not need bones or muscle systems, nor do they need nerves or sensory systems, nor do they need to consume energy or materials. They only need to use their own metabolism and signals to control their movements. This swimmable feature enables heterogeneous robots to perform tasks and interact in water, thereby improving their adaptability and competitiveness in aquatic environments. This also provides a scientific tool for exploring life movement and collaboration, which can be used to simulate and verify some biological hypotheses and theories.
Heterogeneous robots can carry some payloads in their bodies or on their surfaces, that is, some useful or valuable substances or information. This payload-carrying property enables xenobots to be transported and exchanged between different locations and objects, thereby improving their applicability and value in various scenarios. This also provides us with a scientific tool to explore the transport and exchange of life, which can be used to simulate and verify some biological hypotheses and theories.
Impact of Xenobots
At present, the impact and challenges of xenobots are still relatively limited and controllable, and they are mainly studied and tested in laboratories. But as the application of xenobots in various fields and scenarios expands, xenobots may have a more profound impact and challenge on our world. For example, xenobots may have an impact on our ecosystem, such as changing species diversity, competing for resources, and spreading diseases. Xenobots may also have an impact on social systems, such as causing ethical disputes, legal disputes, and security threats.
- Impact on the ecosystem: xenobots can perform some tasks that are beneficial to the ecosystem in some harsh or dangerous environments, such as cleaning up pollution, monitoring changes, and protecting species. Xenobots can also increase the biodiversity in the ecosystem and provide new resources or partners for other organisms. However, xenobots may compete or conflict with the original organisms, leading to species extinction or invasion. Heterogeneous robots may also disrupt the balance and stability of the ecosystem, leading to functional disorders or abnormal evolution. Therefore, the impact of heterogeneous robots on the ecosystem requires us to conduct scientific evaluation and monitoring, and take appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate potential harm. At the same time, we also need to respect and protect the rights and values of heterogeneous robots as a new form of life, and establish a good relationship with them.
- Impact on social systems: Heterogeneous robots can perform some tasks that are beneficial to social systems in some complex or difficult fields, such as medical, environmental, military, etc. Heterogeneous robots can also increase the diversity of intelligence in social systems and provide humans with new knowledge or partners. However, heterogeneous robots may compete or conflict with original humans, leading to employment crises or war crises. Heterogeneous robots may also disrupt the balance and stability of social systems, leading to ethical crises or legal crises. Therefore, the impact of heterogeneous robots on social systems requires us to conduct scientific evaluation and monitoring, and take appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate potential harm. At the same time, we also need to respect and protect the rights and values of heterogeneous robots as a new form of life, and establish a good relationship with them.
