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Scientists Discover Way to Send Information into Black Holes Without Using Energy

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World’s Fastest Living Robot Built Using Self-Trained Muscles

In a breakthrough that could reshape the future of robotics, researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have created a system where lab-grown muscle tissues train themselves—without any external stimulation. This innovation has led to the development of a record-breaking biohybrid robot that is faster, stronger, and more efficient than ever before.

A New Way to Build Stronger Living Machines

For years, scientists have been trying to build robots powered by living muscle cells instead of traditional motors. These “biohybrid robots” are soft, quiet, and energy-efficient, making them ideal for delicate tasks. However, one major challenge has held the field back: weak muscle strength.

The NUS research team, led by Assistant Professor Tan Yu Jun, tackled this problem with a simple yet powerful idea—let the muscles train themselves.

Instead of using external electrical stimulation or complex training systems, the researchers designed a platform where two muscle tissues are connected and continuously pull against each other. This setup works like a natural gym. As one muscle contracts, it stretches the other, which then contracts back. This cycle repeats automatically, creating a constant workout.

Turning Natural Behavior into Strength

Interestingly, young muscle cells naturally twitch as they grow. Most researchers saw this as just a biological curiosity. But the NUS team saw an opportunity.

By harnessing these spontaneous contractions, the muscles effectively exercised themselves during their early development stage. This process required no external power, no control system, and no human intervention.

The results were remarkable. The self-trained muscles achieved a force of 7.05 millinewtons and a stress of 8.51 millinewtons per square millimeter—among the highest ever recorded in biohybrid robotics. This is more than ten times stronger than many previous systems.

Even better, the method uses a common muscle cell line available in labs worldwide, making it affordable and easy to reproduce.

Meet OstraBot: The Record-Breaking Biohybrid Robot

To demonstrate their innovation, the team built a swimming robot called OstraBot. Inspired by the boxfish, this robot keeps its body rigid and moves by oscillating its tail.

Powered by the self-trained muscle, OstraBot achieved a top speed of 467 millimeters per minute. This makes it the fastest skeletal muscle-driven biohybrid robot ever reported.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is that OstraBot is not just fast—it is also highly controllable.

The researchers developed a detailed physiological model to understand how muscle activation leads to movement. Using this model, they optimized the robot’s design for maximum performance.

At an optimal frequency of 3 Hz, OstraBot swam more than three times faster than similar robots using traditional muscle systems.

Control Through Sound and Signals

One of the most exciting features of OstraBot is its ability to respond to external signals. The robot’s speed can be adjusted by changing the strength of an electrical field. It can even start and stop in response to sound—such as a simple clap.

This level of control is a major step forward. In the past, biohybrid robots either moved continuously without control or were too weak to show clear responses.

According to Prof. Tan, this breakthrough proves that living robots can combine strength with precise control—just like muscles in the human body respond to nerves.

A Step Toward Sustainable Robotics

Beyond performance, this research also focuses on sustainability. The team is working toward building robots made entirely of biodegradable materials—machines that can perform their tasks and then safely disappear.

This concept could have a huge impact in several fields:

  • Medicine: Tiny implantable robots could perform tasks inside the body and then dissolve, avoiding the need for surgery.

  • Environmental monitoring: Soft robots could be deployed in sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs or wetlands without causing harm.

  • Smart sensors: Biodegradable devices could collect data and naturally break down after use.

This approach aligns with the growing demand for environmentally responsible technology.

Scientific Recognition and Publication

The study was published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications on March 18, 2026, highlighting its importance in the scientific community.

Earlier, in December 2025, the research also earned recognition when Dr. Chen Pengyu, the first author of the study, received the Best Poster Award at the Materials Research Society Fall Meeting 2025—one of the world’s largest materials science conferences.

What Comes Next?

While this achievement marks a major milestone, the journey is far from over. The researchers are now focusing on improving durability, energy efficiency, and long-term stability of these living systems.

They also aim to refine control mechanisms and fully integrate biodegradable materials into future designs.

According to Prof. Tan, strength is just one piece of the puzzle. The ultimate goal is to create high-performance biohybrid machines that are not only powerful but also sustainable and practical for real-world use.

Why This Matters

This innovation removes a long-standing bottleneck in biohybrid robotics. By solving the problem of weak muscle force, it opens the door to a new generation of robots that are:

  • Stronger and faster

  • More energy-efficient

  • Safer for humans and the environment

  • Capable of complex, controlled movements

In simple terms, this research brings us closer to a future where robots are not just machines—but living systems that can adapt, respond, and even “train” themselves.

Conclusion

The NUS team’s self-training muscle platform represents a major leap forward in robotics and bioengineering. By turning a natural biological process into a powerful training mechanism, they have unlocked new possibilities for building smarter, stronger, and more sustainable machines.

As research continues, biohybrid robots like OstraBot could soon move from the lab into real-world applications—transforming medicine, environmental science, and beyond.

The era of living robots is no longer science fiction—it has already begun.

Reference: Chen, P., Wang, X., Zhou, J. et al. Fast-swimming biohybrid OstraBot with self-trained high-strength muscles. Nat Commun 17, 2246 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70259-9

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