Mushroom Meets Robot: A New Frontier in Sci-Fi Science!

The enigmatic dreams of sleeping mushrooms remain an enigma, even as their extensive mycelial networks exhibit flickers and pulses resembling our own neural electrical activity.

What, one wonders, might transpire if this intricate network were afforded a moment of autonomy?

In pursuit of answers, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from Cornell University in the United States and the University of Florence in Italy embarked on a pioneering experiment. They placed a culture of the edible mushroom species Pleurotus eryngii, commonly known as the king oyster mushroom, in control of two mechanical vehicles capable of subtle movements across a flat surface.

The series of experiments indicated that the mushroom’s electrophysiological responses could be effectively utilized to translate environmental stimuli into directives, thereby steering the mechanical devices’ actions.

“Through the integration of mycelium within the robotic circuitry, we enabled the biohybrid apparatus to perceive and interact with its environment,” remarked Rob Shepherd, a materials scientist at Cornell, upon the publication of their findings in August.

While the fusion of biological entities with machinery is not a novel concept, the potential of the Fungi kingdom as a reservoir for cybernetic technologies remains largely untapped.

With their simple cultivation requirements and remarkable resilience, molds and mushrooms could furnish engineers with a diverse array of living components tailored to various sensory and even computational applications.

Typically concealed from view, the delicate networks of fungal filaments react to environmental shifts as they navigate through soil in search of sustenance.

Distinct species exhibit transmembrane activities akin to our own neural functions, offering researchers a fascinating glimpse into their covert communications.

By applying algorithms inspired by the electrophysiological signals of P. eryngii mycelia, the researchers successfully configured a microcontroller to interpret those signals, activating mechanical responses in different mobile devices.

In controlled settings, the researchers utilized the fungal signals to direct the movements of both a five-limbed soft robot and a four-wheeled, untethered vehicle.

They successfully influenced and modulated the inherent impulses generated by the fungi, showcasing the capacity to harness the system’s sensory capabilities for specific objectives.

“This endeavor transcends mere robotic control,” noted Anand Mishra, a bioroboticist at Cornell. “It is fundamentally about establishing a genuine connection with a living system. By decoding its signals, we gain insight into its condition—perhaps even detecting stress responses. These signals remain unseen, yet the robot serves as a medium for their visualization.”

Despite the seemingly rudimentary appearance of the ‘roboshroom,’ the true potential of this technology may someday extend to streamlined mechanical systems capable of interpreting complex environmental changes—enabling precise nutrient or pesticide applications, or dynamically responding to rising pollutant levels or alterations in human physiology.

The whispers of mushrooms harbor insights we have scarcely begun to comprehend. Who knows—one day, they may share with us the substance of their dreams.

This research was published in Science Robotics.

An earlier version of this article appeared in September 2024.