Engineers Build Biohybrid Robots Using Discarded Crustacean Shells

Biohybrid robots are entering a new phase. They combine biology on one side and engineering on the other. A recent project shows how leftover crustacean shells can become robotic joints. These shells act as natural exoskeletons. They bend because they are both rigid and flexible.

Engineers softened the shells with special polymers. They then attached small motors. The result was a set of robotic grippers. These grippers can lift heavy objects. The team also created fins that swim by flapping.

Researchers call this approach “dead matter.” It shows how food waste can become eco‑friendly robotic material. It also highlights a new path for sustainable design.

Designing with Crustacean Shells

According to the study, EPFL engineers used discarded lobster tail segments. Each shell contains hard plates connected by soft membranes. This gives strength and flexibility at the same time. The team added a soft elastomer inside the segments. They coated the outside with silicone for durability.

In tests, a single shell lifted about 500 grams. Two shells together acted like robotic fingers. They grasped objects ranging from pens to tomatoes. The same shells worked as swimming fins. They pushed a small robot through water at roughly 11 cm per second.

Benefits and Challenges

Using waste shells adds an eco‑friendly advantage. The synthetic parts can be removed and reused. This supports a circular design model. The project serves as a proof‑of‑concept for recycling food waste into robotics.

But challenges remain. Every shell is different. Two gripper “fingers” may bend unevenly. This makes control more difficult. Engineers say more development is needed before real‑world use.

A Glimpse of the Future

Biohybrid robots could reshape sustainable engineering. They may reduce waste. They may inspire new materials. And they show how nature and technology can work together.