Robots Could Soon Be Controlled By Bacteria

Technology





Photo credit:

Warren Ruder used a mathematical model to demonstrate that bacteria can control the behavior of an inanimate device like a robot. Virginia Tech.

Robots can be programmed to respond to changes in sunlight, temperature, or even the levels of certain particles in the air. But, what about a robot that drives around controlled entirely by bacteria?

Bacteria-controlled robots aren't here just yet, but a team of intrepid scientists has created a mathematical model to predict how such systems might explore the world around them.