The rapidly expanding field of biohybrid robotics is inherently interdisciplinary spanning from the biological and material sciences to robotics and computer science. Over the past ten years engineered synthetic components have been combined with living biological materials in new and impressive ways, capturing the attention of popular and scientific media.

Prior research has produced an array of tissue-based biohybrid robots (that are built with cardiac and skeletal muscle), micro-biobots (nanoscale functional components integrated with microorganisms), and non-human cyborgs (animal bodies that are manipulated robotically). The novel character and possibilities for biohybrid robots is generating distinct imaginative horizons that this tutorial intends to engage with and prepare for.  

This tutorial aims to prepare researchers in biohybrid robots to anticipate the future of human-biohybrid robot interaction, including the ethical and social implications. We encourage attendees from different backgrounds to participate. Together, using speculative workshop methodology, we will sketch out anticipatory timelines and outline the expected advances of the field, posing fundamental questions:

Using insights from the workshop, we will define what responsible innovations mean in this context. 

Organizers

Dr. Rafael Mestre

University of Southampton

Dr. Sergey Astakhov

University of Southampton

Dr. Ned Barker

University College of London


Program

13:30 – 13:50Session AVickie Webster-Wood. Biohybrid Robots Today and Future Directions.
13:50 – 14:10Session BNed Barker, Sergey Astakhov, Rafael Mestre. Why consider Human-Biohybrid Robot Interactions now?
14:10 – 14:30Break
14:30 – 16:00Session CSpeculative timelines
16:00 – 16:20Break
16:20 – 17:30Session DResults, discussions, and next steps