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Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots

Aiste Balciunaite, Mike Y. Michelis, Miriam Filippi, Pablo Paniagua, Öncay Yaşa, Robert K. Katzschmann
September 11, 2026
Published Date

Research Abstract & Technology Focus

Abstract Biohybrid robots use engineered living muscle tissue as actuators, offering self-organization, adaptability, and self-healing. Current designs focus on improving muscle physiology but overlook the interplay between muscle and scaffold in the robot’s function. We present a computational and experimental pipeline to co-optimize the form and function of centimeter-scale bioactuators. Using a soft-body simulation framework, we modeled unified muscle–scaffold systems and applied an evolutionary algorithm and targeted parameter sweeps to maximize range of motion. The resulting bioactuators, fabricated by integrating skeletal muscle tissue with microgrooved hydrogel scaffolds, feature a continuous interface enabling efficient force transmission and large, rapid deformations. They achieved up to an eleven-fold increase in range of motion over previous designs of similar muscle volume, powering robots capable of jumping, swimming, walking, and gripping, and scalable into multi-unit systems. By unifying modeling, optimization, and fabrication, we demonstrate how such a pipeline accelerates the development of high-performance biohybrid robots.
Pipeline (software) Computer science Robot Scalability Focus (optics) Biomimetics
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What is the core focus of the research titled 'Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots'?

This literature focuses on: Abstract Biohybrid robots use engineered living muscle tissue as actuators, offering self-organization, adaptability, and self-healing. Current designs focus on improving muscle physiology but overlook the interplay between muscle and scaffold in ...

Are there open-source GitHub repositories related to Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots?

Yes, open-source projects like Flaminis/Dalaran (Dalaran — Apache-2.0, robotics-first visualization and data infrastructure for multimodal time-series. ROS 2 native, reads existing .rrd recordings...) are actively building upon these concepts.

Which startups are commercializing the technology behind Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots?

Products like Gemini Robotics ER 1.6 are bringing this to market. Their focus is: Google's SOTA robotics model for visual & spatial reasoning!.

What other academic literature is closely related to 'Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots'?

Yes, highly correlated activity was mapped. An entry titled 'Advances in muscle-driven biohybrid robots: electrical, optical and neuromuscular junction-based stimulations' discusses this: Abstract Muscle-driven biohybrid robotics has gained substantial attention for its potential to enable advanced mechanical systems with flexibility...

Are there commercial applications of 'Co-optimized volumetric muscle design for large dynamic deformations in versatile biohybrid robots' in market news publications?

Yes, highly correlated activity was mapped. An entry titled 'In vivo feasibility study of humanoid robots in surgery' discusses this: A systematic evaluation shows that contemporary humanoid robots can perform laparoscopic surgical tasks through teleoperation, highlighting both th...

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