February 17, 2022

"Scientists created tiny xenobots from frog cells. They now claim that these robots are capable of reproducing.
Researchers used kinetic replication to create the baby xenobots, a phenomenon that had never been observed before but was known to occur at the molecular level.
A "living, programmable organism" is the best description of a xenobot."

Robots named "xenobots" recently witnessed their first-ever reproduction, a groundbreaking achievement for artificial intelligence and robots alike. Researchers used kinetic replication to create the baby xenobots, a phenomenon that had never been observed before but was known to occur at the molecular level.

Who created Xenobots

The researchers used the stem cells of the African clawed frog to create the robots. In 2020, Xenobots measured about 0.04 inches wide and could work in groups and self-healing. For the first time, xenobots, developed by researchers at Vermont, Tufts, and Harvard University's Wyss Institute, can reproduce.

The researchers hope that these xenobots — first described nearly two years ago by the same team — will eventually be programmed to perform functional tasks like detecting cancer cells or trapping harmful microplastics in the ocean.

How are xenobots constructed?

Researchers previously demonstrated that xenobots could work in groups and self-heal. Stem cells are the primary ingredient in these xenobots. Using AI, the xenobots were reshaped into c-shaped robots. This ability to gather hundreds of tiny stem cells in its mouth allowed for creating a new xenobot just days after researchers put it into a petri dish. Though xenobots are now widely accepted as how the world's first robot reproduction took place, there is still much controversy surrounding the xenobots' intended use.

Xenobot's Purpose

These robots will be helpful to study how cells work together to build complex bodies. Xenobots are known for their ability to contain a group of cells. Similarly, according to this logic, xenobots can be helpful in a wide range of contexts.

"If we could programme these better, they can selectively pick up and move specific cell types or help us shape something that we're building in a dish for regenerative medicine," said Douglas Blackiston, the xenobots' creator.

Conclusion

However, like a hypothetical von Neumann machine, a xenobot cannot replicate itself if it does not have the necessary components. This ability to self-replicate is what the researchers hope to use to benefit humanity in the future. Do you think xenobots should be studied further? Or should we be afraid of robots that resemble living organisms? Let's wait and see.

Dr Nivash Jeevanandam PhD,
Researcher | Senior Technology Journalist