Imagine tiny living creatures, like worms, that act as organic drones. Instead of metal and wires, their brains are rewritten to follow specific instructions, like hunting pests or delivering medicine. They are completely natural, meaning they biodegrade and don't pollute the environment after their job is done.
Conventional robots lack the dexterity and bio-compatibility to operate inside living bodies or complex soil environments without causing damage or pollution.
A system of genetically modified C. elegans worms with synthetic gene circuits for aggregation and swarming, and a microfluidic/optogenetic demonstration tool.
If you are an agri-tech biotech firm dealing with crop pathogens — this project developed programmed C. elegans worms that detect, locate and attack invading pathogens. This provides a 100% environmentally-compatible alternative to chemical pesticides.
If you are a medical device manufacturer dealing with invasive surgical procedures — this project developed medicinal nematodes that can enter the body, perform specific medical procedures and then leave. This offers a level of agility and bio-compatibility unattainable by electromechanical robots.
If you are a municipal sanitation service dealing with clogged sewage systems — this project developed the concept of sanitation cockroaches to clear sewage systems. These biological robots are designed to stay out of houses while cleaning pipes.
Based on available project data, there is no specific pricing or unit cost mentioned; however, the EU contribution for development is EUR 3,251,081.
The project notes that BABots are self-producible, which suggests a high potential for scaling compared to traditional robot manufacturing.
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not listed, but the project is currently in the research and demonstration phase.
The team is implementing a multi-layered biocontainment apparatus and developing a dedicated safety, ethical and regulatory framework.
The project period runs from 2023-10-01 to 2027-09-30, indicating it is currently in the development stage.
The consortium consists of 6 partners across 5 countries, showing a strong academic lean with 3 universities and 2 research organizations. With an industry ratio of 17% and only 1 SME involved, the project is currently driven by scientific discovery rather than immediate commercialization, though the inclusion of an industrial partner suggests a path toward application.
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