Robot Metabolism: Towards machines that can grow by consuming other machines

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel approach for robots to grow and adapt by consuming parts from other machines and their environment, inspired by biological metabolism, demonstrated on a modular robot platform.

Contribution

It proposes a new design principle using simple modules enabling robots to physically grow and repair by consuming external materials, a significant departure from traditional monolithic robots.

Findings

Robots can grow larger and more capable by consuming external parts.

Modular design enables physical adaptation and self-repair.

Demonstrated on a truss modular robot platform.

Abstract

Biological lifeforms can heal, grow, adapt, and reproduce -- abilities essential for sustained survival and development. In contrast, robots today are primarily monolithic machines with limited ability to self-repair, physically develop, or incorporate material from their environments. While robot minds rapidly evolve new behaviors through AI, their bodies remain closed systems, unable to systematically integrate material to grow or heal. We argue that open-ended physical adaptation is only possible when robots are designed using a small repertoire of simple modules. This allows machines to mechanically adapt by consuming parts from other machines or their surroundings and shed broken components. We demonstrate this principle on a truss modular robot platform. We show how robots can grow bigger, faster, and more capable by consuming materials from their environment and other robots. We suggest that machine metabolic processes like those demonstrated here will be an essential part of any sustained future robot ecology.