Artificial intelligence is gradually becoming more and more like Homo sapiens. They already have the main characteristic for the survival of any species - the ability to reproduce.
An international team of scientists has developed a new form of biological reproduction called Xenobots. The relevant study was published in the Harvard edition.
Scientists at the University of Vermont (UVM), Tufts University, and Harvard University have developed "living robots" from the stem cells of the frog Xenopus laevis. Xenobots were created with the help of a supercomputer that used an evolutionary algorithm to create microscopic plans.
The authors of the new work used stem cells - these are non-specialized cells that have the ability to turn any substance in the body.
Millimeter-wide Xenobots use kinetic replication for reproduction. This process usually takes place at the molecular level. Scientists note that no animal or plant reproduces this way. Therefore, in their view, Xenobots are an ideal way to study self-replicating systems.
The reproduction of robots may be troubling to the public, but researchers say Xenobots are in a controlled environment.
The authors believe that their work will help create an algorithm for collecting microplastics in the ocean and accelerate the development of new vaccines against viruses.
