Biological Robots: Perspectives on an Emerging Interdisciplinary Field (2207.00880v1)

Abstract: Advances in science and engineering often reveal the limitations of classical approaches initially used to understand, predict, and control phenomena. With progress, conceptual categories must often be re-evaluated to better track recently discovered invariants across disciplines. It is essential to refine frameworks and resolve conflicting boundaries between disciplines such that they better facilitate, not restrict, experimental approaches and capabilities. In this essay, we discuss issues at the intersection of developmental biology, computer science, and robotics. In the context of biological robots, we explore changes across concepts and previously distinct fields that are driven by recent advances in materials, information, and life sciences. Herein, each author provides their own perspective on the subject, framed by their own disciplinary training. We argue that as with computation, certain aspects of developmental biology and robotics are not tied to specific materials; rather, the consilience of these fields can help to shed light on issues of multi-scale control, self-assembly, and relationships between form and function. We hope new fields can emerge as boundaries arising from technological limitations are overcome, furthering practical applications from regenerative medicine to useful synthetic living machines.

• The paper presents the interdisciplinary integration of biological and synthetic systems through xenobot research.
• It details novel methodologies for creating self-replicating xenobots that merge developmental biology with robotics.
• The study advocates a paradigm shift in defining intelligence and functionality in bioengineered systems.

Perspectives on Biological Robots: An Interdisciplinary Exploration

This paper presents a comprehensive examination of biological robots, an emergent field at the confluence of developmental biology, computer science, and robotics. Authored by Blackiston, Kriegman, Bongard, and Levin, it considers how recent interdisciplinary advances are redefining traditional conceptualizations of biological organisms and robotic systems. The paper articulates the collaborative perspectives of experts from distinct domains, each contributing to the evolving discourse on the synthesis of living and synthetic entities, with an emphasis on the potential for practical applications such as regenerative medicine and synthetic living machines.

The authors emphasize the importance of reevaluating scientific frameworks to accommodate breakthroughs in biorobotics. These frameworks need to balance between facilitating experimental advances and maintaining clear operational definitions across disciplines. Central to this endeavor is addressing the debate over terminology—whether these systems should be labeled as robots, organisms, or something new altogether, reflecting their hybrid nature.

The concept of 'xenobots', self-replicating biological machines crafted from Xenopus laevis cells, is introduced and analyzed in detail. The paper presents these xenobots as both a technological development and a theoretical challenge to existing categories in robotics and biology. They highlight the capacity of xenobots for self-assembly, kinematic movement, and system recovery, largely derived from their unique cellular makeup—which blurs the line between the living and the mechanical.

Several detailed sections, authored by individual contributors, delve into specific aspects or consequences of their research:

1. Blackiston's Perspective: The focus is placed on the integration of biological and synthetic components, arguing for a paradigm shift in how biological materials are utilized within robotics. The paper acknowledges critiques from developmental biology that question the classification of these structures as robots but posits that these assemblies merit reevaluation based on function and utility.
2. Kriegman's Insight: Examines the developmental methodologies used to bring xenobots to fruition and argues for the classification of these constructs as robots based on design and functionality rather than their constituent materials. The examination is paired with the potential of genetic modifications to augment xenobots’ sensory capabilities and behaviors further.
3. Bongard's Analysis: Challenges traditional dichotomies in biological and artificial systems, proposing that advances in xenobot research illustrate the inadequacy of separating robotic systems from natural biological processes. The work calls for an expanded understanding of intelligence and functionality that transcends established categories.
4. Levin's Exploration: Investigates the implications for developmental biology, highlighting the potential for bioengineered systems to yield insights into morphogenesis, control mechanisms, and the fundamental processes that underlie life. Levin suggests that manipulating the natural constraints of cell behavior illuminates the inherent plasticity and problem-solving capabilities of multicellular assemblies.

The paper underscores the necessity of integrating computational tools and machine learning in the optimization of xenobot design, highlighting their role in discovering innovative forms and functions that defy human cognitive constraints. Moreover, eco-ethical considerations regarding the energy consumption and carbon footprint of design processes are brought to the fore, while also acknowledging the current limitations and speculative future roles of xenobots in practical applications.

Finally, the document reinforces the need for collaborative research and interdisciplinary dialogue to address the nuanced challenges posed by biological robots, encouraging a more nuanced framework that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. This approach could lead to a transformative understanding of both engineered constructs and living systems, suggesting a future where these fields converge to create novel technological paradigms.

The research on xenobots exemplifies the burgeoning potential at the crossroads of biology and robotics, challenging existing frameworks and advocating for a more integrated, dynamic approach to scientific inquiry in understanding life and its synthetic analogs.