Biohybrid and Organic Robotics Group

B.O.R.G. logo

Animals have long served as an inspiration for robotics. However, many of the mechanical properties, physical capabilities, and the behavioral flexibility seen in animals have yet to be achieved in robotic platforms. Towards addressing this gap, research in the CMU B.O.R.G focuses on the use of organic materials as structures, actuators, sensors, and controllers towards the development of biohybrid and organic robots. The research group’s long-term goal is to develop completely organic, autonomous robots with programmable neural circuits. Such robotic systems will have future applications in medicine, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring.

Faculty

Victoria Webster-Wood

Victoria Webster-Wood

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Courtesy Appointment in Biomedical Engineering

Courtesy Appointment in The Robotics Institute

Joining the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University in Fall 2018, Webster-Wood established the Biohybrid and Organic Robotics Group (B.O.R.G.), bringing together bio-inspired robotics, tissue engineering, and computational neuroscience to create novel devices and advance the fields of bioinspired, biohybrid, and biodegradable robotics.

Publications

Vickie Webster-Wood’s most recent list of publications can be found on Google Scholar.

Office
Scaife A12
Phone
412.268.3017
Email
vwebster@andrew.cmu.edu
Google Scholar
Victoria Webster-Wood

Research Overview

Research in the CMU B.O.R.G. focuses on the study and application of biologically-derived tissues to create sustainable, biocompatible robotic systems. By studying existing tissues (such as skeletal muscle or neural circuits), we seek to identify design guidelines for bio-inspired and biohybrid robots. We can also use tissues, or cells isolated from these tissues, to grow novel organic systems in order to build biocompatible robots seeking to capture the compliance, behavioral flexibility, and force-to-weight ratios seen in living organisms. Finally, we are interested in the use of plant and protein-derived materials in the creation of sustainable, biodegradable, and even edible robots.

  • Biologically-derived structures

    Organic structures

    In living organisms, both plant and animal, bio-compatible materials and proteins make-up the structures that support and guide the function of surrounding cells and tissues. The CMU B.O.R.G. uses a variety of bio-fabrication techniques, including additive manufacturing and electrocompaction, to build protein and mineral based structures for robotic systems. Such structures are characterized via mechanical testing and mechanical properties are optimized to support the function of specific cell or to ensure specified degradation speeds in natural environments.

  • illustrations and photos of muscle activation

    Muscle-based actuators

    Muscle provides many of the functional properties often sought after in robotic applications including natural compliance, energy efficiency, and high force-to-weight ratios. Research in the CMU B.O.R.G. focuses on how to fabricate and support functional muscle tissues that mimic the structure of native muscle in living systems, how different stimulation techniques effect muscle performance, and on creating computationally efficient neuromuscular models for in silico robot design. Our group studies mammalian and avian muscles as well as invertebrate muscles in order to create muscle-based actuators suitable for a wide range of environments.

  • plant-derived biodegradable actuator

    Non-muscle biologically-derived material-based actuators

    In addition to studying muscle as a robotic actuator, our group is interested in how plant and algae-derived materials can be used in the fabrication of biodegradable, and even edible soft robotic actuators. Using algae-derived bioinks and 3D bioprinting, we are creating new soft robotic components that can be made from materials native to the desired deployment environment.

  • illustration of sensory system parts

    Organic sensors

    The sensory systems of living organisms demonstrate amazing specificity and resolution. The CMU B.O.R.G. studies and simulates how the structure and cellular organization of such sensory systems effects cell signaling and how those signals are integrated and processed by the associated neural circuitry. Current research in this thrust focuses on invertebrate sensory systems for aquatic applications.

  • illustration of how organic controllers work

    Organic controllers

    Even relatively “simple” animal nervous systems are capable of robust sensory integration, signal processing, motor control, and complex behavioral flexibility, allowing animals to survive and flourish in complex, dynamically changing environments. Such properties and capabilities are a major goal in robotic control research. The CMU B.O.R.G. studies sensory integration and motor control in invertebrate neural circuits to better understand learning and control with a goal of creating programmed control circuits composed of living neurons for use in organic robots.

  • Image with four parts showing: structure, actuation, sensing, and control

    Biohybrid and organic robotics

    In addition to specific research on individual organic systems, researchers in the CMU B.O.R.G. are currently integrating organic and synthetic materials to create Biohybrid and even completely organic robots. The systems combine bio-inspired robotics, bio-fabrication, additive manufacturing, and simulation to create and test biocompatible robots. Our current research focuses on devices that are capable of crawling or swimming in aquatic environments.

  • photo of an example bio-inspired robot

    Bio-inspired robotics

    In addition to using living materials to build robotic devices, the CMU B.O.R.G. engages in traditional robotics research and development. We apply principles learned from our studies of the tissues, as well as relevant literature from biology and neuroscience, to create bio-inspired robotic devices and controllers. Our current research projects focus on bio-inspired control algorithms based on invertebrate neural circuits and biologically inspired swimmers.

    • Research project outcomes

    Project pages

    Research video

    Research Team

    Michael Bennington

    Michael Bennington

    Doctorate

    Research interests
    biomechanics, neuromechanics, biorobotics, and computational modeling
    Kevin Dai

    Kevin Dai

    Doctorate

    Research interests
    bio-robots and controls
    Ashlee Liao

    Ashlee Liao

    Doctorate

    Co-Advisor
    Jessica Zhang
    Research interests
    biorobotics, biomechanics, neural controls
    Kuanren Qian

    Kuanren Qian

    Doctorate

    Co-Advisor
    Jessica Zhang
    Research interests
    bioinspired robotics, neuron growth modeling
    Saul Schaffer

    Saul Schaffer

    Doctorate

    Research interests
    biohybrid actuators, prosthetics, 3D printing, metamaterials
    Ravesh Sukhnandan

    Ravesh Sukhnandan

    Doctorate

    Research interests
    soft robots, bioinspired robots, muscle mechanics
    Hima Hrithik Pamu

    Hima Hrithik Pamu

    Masters

    Research interests
    Soft robotics

    Personal website

    Avery Williamson

    Avery Williamson

    Masters

    Anika Sun

    Anika Sun

    Masters

    Research interests
    3D printing, soft robots, mechanical design

    Personal website

    Alumni

    Ph.D. Alumni

    • Wenhuan Sun (Ph.D., Fall 2022, first position after CMU - Paypal)
    • Kevin Dai (Ph.D., Summer 2023, first position after CMU - Schwartz Center Innovation Commercialization Postdoctoral Fellow)

    M.S. Alumni and MS Project Students

    • Gordon Gao (MS, BME)
    • Kathleen Gladson (MS, MechE)
    • Jason Paulovich (MS, BME)
    • Ravesh Sukhnandan (MS, BME)
    • Yu Wang (MS, MechE)
    • Bella Zhang (MS, BME)

    Past and present undergraduate researchers

    1. Jacob Abrams
    2. Nathan Ang
    3. Charli Ann Hooper
    4. Adam Assad
    5. Befeker Assefa
    6. Ryan Bao
    7. Lameck Beni
    8. Anaya Bhammar
    9. Annie Chen
    10. Theophilos Cockrell
    11. Jenna Cui
    12. Anais del Rosario
    13. Abirami Elangovan
    14. Lekha Kesavan
    15. Riti Krishna
    16. Leon Lai
    17. Justin Lam
    18. Janice Lee
    19. Rose Lee
    20. Bajram Metjahic
    21. Nickia Muraskin
    22. Arpita Nag
    23. Fernando Plata
    24. Allison Rojas
    25. Nicole Segale
    26. Gian Seixas
    27. Avani Shukla
    28. Summer Sun
    29. Ian Turner
    30. Emily Wang
    31. Vicki Wang
    32. Karen Whirley
    33. Xochitl Zazueta

    Join us

    If you are interested in joining the CMU B.O.R.G. please read the appropriate section below.

    Undergraduates: Projects are advertised through the MechE newsletter as they are available. Please refer to this information for opportunities to join the lab or email Dr. Webster-Wood with the tag [Undergrad] in the subject if you are interested in whether new projects may be becoming available.

    Graduate students: All graduate students (MS or Ph.D.) will only be considered through the official CMU application system. Please apply online. If you are an admitted MS student and would like to learn about available projects please refer to the MS Canvas page or email Dr. Webster-Wood with the tag [MS] in the subject.

    We specifically have project opening for new graduate students in muscle tissue engineering for biohybrid actuators. 

    Postdocs: We do not currently have any postdoc openings available.

    We look forward to hearing from you!

    Media mentions

    Mechanical Engineering

    Webster-Wood named 35 Innovator Under 35

    Vickie Webster-Wood has been named one of the 2023 35 Innovators under 35 by MIT Technology Review

    CMU Engineering

    Branching out: Modeling neurons in new ways

    Predicting neuron cell growth just got a little bit easier, thanks to CMU researchers.

    CMU Engineering

    So tricky, a robot can do it

    Carnegie Mellon Researchers have taken inspiration from geckos to create a material that adheres to wet and dry surfaces, even on an incline.

    CMU Engineering

    2023 Dean’s Early Career Fellows announced

    Xi (Charlie) Ren, Victoria Webster-Wood, and Ding Zhao have received the honor for their contributions to their respective fields.

    See More Mentions

    CMU Engineering

    Now printing: seaweed-based, biodegradable actuators

    We are one step closer to naturally compostable robots now that researchers at Carnegie Mellon can print actuators using a bio-ink made from seaweed.

    CMU Engineering

    Multi-university team building actuators for next gen bio-bots

    Multi-university team, led by Mechanical Engineering’s Vickie Webster-Wood, is building actuators for next generation sustainable bio-bots.

    CMU Engineering

    Hydrogels pave way for future of soft robotics

    Wenhuan Sun, Victoria Webster-Wood, and Adam Feinberg have created an open-source, commercially available fiber extruder to benefit future research with hydrogels and soft robotics.

    ICRA 2022

    CMU team wins big at robotics conference

    MechE’s Victoria Webster-Wood and her team took home a prize for their paper at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

    IEEE Spectrum

    Bergbreiter, Majidi, and Webster-Wood featured in IEEE Spectrum

    MechE’s Carmel Majidi, Sarah Bergbreiter, and Victoria Webster-Wood were featured on IEEE Spectrum, discussing softbotics.

    CMU Engineering

    Tuning synthetic collagen threads for biohybrid robots

    Researchers in Victoria Webster-Wood’s Biohybrid and Organic Robotics Group are using techniques from tissue engineering to refine tendon-like collagen threads for a new generation of robots.

    Mechanical Engineering

    Biomechanics for teens

    National Biomechanics Day is a worldwide celebration that strives to bring the complex world of biomechanics to high school students through hands-on activities, demonstrations, and Q&A sessions with real-world professionals.

    CMU Engineering

    NSF CAREER grants awarded to engineering faculty

    Four engineering faculty received NSF CAREER awards to support their education and research goals.