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The world's first living robots
20th January 2020
Scientists are making new, living robots. They are very small. They make the robots from animal cells.
They made the robots in a US research centre. They used a supercomputer with a special program. The robots are under 1mm long. The director, Michael Levin, said the robots are a new type of life.
Two of the robots are very good. One robot has two short legs. Another robot has a hole in the middle. It uses this to carry things. People used cells from an African frog to make the robots. The robots are called 'Xenobots'.
Metal machines are strong. But living robots are useful too.
There are lots of possible ways to use them in future. They can collect ocean microplastics and dangerous chemicals. They can give medicines and fix health problems. They may make Xenobots with basic brains and eyes.
Xenobots bring some big questions. Are the robots alive? Do we need to look after them?
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