Radish Sprouts Power the Next Generation of Eco-Friendly Robots
Researchers are pioneering a new wave of eco-friendly robotics, utilizing radish sprouts to create robots that not only move but can also grow and potentially be consumed after their tasks are completed. This innovative approach, highlighted in a study published in Advanced Science, proposes that plants can serve as the driving force behind robotic systems, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional machinery.
Jun Shintake, an assistant professor at the University of Electro-Communications in Tokyo, explains that these plant-based robots mimic muscle movement through the slow growth of plants powered by photosynthesis. The team successfully developed a robot from radish sprouts, which demonstrated the ability to move approximately 14.6 mm at an average speed of 0.8 mm per hour.
These robots are designed to perform tasks in natural environments without causing harm or leaving mechanical waste behind, returning to the soil once they wither. Their potential applications include constructing disaster-resistant structures, greening polluted areas, and even contributing to planetary terraforming efforts in the far future.
