Biosyncretic Robots Actuated by Living Materials

Abstract

In recent years, biosyncretic robots, a novel type of robot that integrates living and artificial materials, have gained significant attention. Biosyncretic robots are expected to leverage the advantages provided by living materials and offer a new approach to address the challenges faced by traditional robots, such as biocompatibility, intrinsic safety, and miniaturization. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview of the current state of development of biosyncretic robots. First, the existing research on biosyncretic robots based on commonly used living materials is systematically categorized and introduced, including cardiomyocytes, skeletal muscle cells, insect dorsal vascular tissue, and microorganisms. Subsequently, their potential in the fields of in vivo medical diagnosis and treatment, organ‐on‐a‐chip, tissue engineering, environmental monitoring, and postdisaster rescue in detail is also discussed. Finally, the current challenges faced by biosyncretic robotic research, including establishing theoretical models, fabrication, cultivation, and maintenance of living materials, controllability, versatility, artificial material, and entering the human body or leaving the laboratory, are examined. This review summarizes the cutting‐edge progress of biosyncretic robots and provides insights into their future development.