Sci Adv July 2025 PMID 40668909

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines.

Philippe Martin Wyder, Riyaan Bakhda, Meiqi Zhao, Quinn A Booth, Matthew E Modi, Andrew Song, Simon Kang, Jiahao Wu, Priya Patel, Robert T Kasumi, David Yi, Nihar Niraj Garg, Pranav Jhunjhunwala, Siddharth Bhutoria, Evan H Tong

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Mentions

139
Peak: 43 in Jul 2025
across 5 sources since Jul 2025

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6,023,563
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Total likes

157,145

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4,373,165

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Jul 2025 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

Participants express enthusiasm for the concept of robotic growth through self-assembly and environmental adaptation, citing examples like robots that can heal, grow, and integrate parts from their surroundings. The tone is optimistic and focused on the transformative potential of this technology, emphasizing its significance for autonomous systems while occasionally speculating on potential risks.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the idea of robots capable of self-growth and environmental integration, viewing it as a promising and innovative development.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high interest, with many excited about the potential applications and significance of the research.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some posts delve into practical implications and potential future developments, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The overall tone suggests this research could influence future robotics and AI advancements, though it's still emerging science.

Abstract in brief

  • Biological lifeforms possess essential abilities such as healing, growing, adapting, and reproducing, which enable their survival and development.
  • In contrast, current robots are limited by their static designs, lacking the capacity for self-repair or environmental integration, despite advancements in artificial intelligence for behavior adaptation.
  • The authors propose that using simple modular components in robot design could allow for open-ended physical adaptation, enabling machines to grow and improve by consuming materials from their environment or other robots, demonstrated through a truss modular robot platform.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
TechXplore
@TechXplore_com · X

#Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking a significant step toward autonomous, self-sustaining robotic systems. @CUSEAS @ScienceAdvances https://t.co/LUPnr9cuXT https://t.co/5enwQg0xHc

Jul 17, 2025 · 18 likes · 9 shares · 21,287 followers View post →
Hod Lipson
@hodlipson · X

Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other robots: https://t.co/uJY5GJhbkW https://t.co/gPyJeJPWDt

Jul 22, 2025 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 1,425 followers View post →
philippewyder.bsky.social
@philippewyder.bsky.social · Bluesky

We are excited to have our paper "Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines" in this special issue of @science.org Advances. Paper: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #ScienceAdvances

Sep 7, 2025 · 9 likes · 8 shares View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

This is the WRONG way to assemble Truss Links! What is the right way for robots to build robots? One option is self-assembly https://t.co/CNFIMAddJw Robot Metabolism Paper: https://t.co/1BJKjmk26w Thanks to @YunzhuLiYZ & @binghao_huang from #RobotPIL https://t.co/Ca3aPwQawK

Aug 7, 2025 · 3 likes · 76 followers View post →
Science Advances
@ScienceAdvances · X

Robots made of simple modules can mechanically adapt themselves by consuming previously shed components or parts from the environment, allowing the robots to autonomously grow faster, bigger, and more capable. https://t.co/vsXN9sON66 https://t.co/wEsgA1uyQ7

Jul 21, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 66,007 followers View post →
(公財)未来工学研究所
@ifeng_official1 · X

お疲れ様です、未来研公式です。先日のロボットの話題で、自己修復出来るロボットが現れたら永久に稼働を続けるという可能性に言及しました。どうもそれは実現していた模様。この度米コロンビア大が開発したロボットは体内に新しい部品を組み込み、自己修復をするのだとか。 https://t.co/EopWKGxfw0

Jul 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 878 followers View post →

All mentions

Self-Healing Robots with Adaptive Growth Capabilities

Scientists at Columbia University have developed Robot Metabolism, enabling machines to grow, self-repair, and evolve by consuming parts from other robots or their environment. This innovation bridges biology and…

EcoZora · Sep 5, 2025 24,779 views

Robots that Consume Others to Grow and Adapt

Columbia University scientists develop robots capable of consuming components from other machines and their environment to grow faster, a concept called Robot Metabolism. This breakthrough could transform space…

Navigable AI · Jul 18, 2025 906 views
Matt Stueck
@mattstueck · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Nov 14, 2025 · 6 shares · 499 followers View post →
Columbia Physics Department
@PhysicsColumbia · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines @CUSEAS @ColumbiaGSAS @ZuckermanBrain @columbiamag @columbia https://t.co/pXU0bbmN4Z https://t.co/8CWjvFnb0F

Oct 25, 2025 · 813 followers View post →
umhenrique
@umhenrique_m · X

@DevShinobu O projeto foi inspirado nesse artigo ? https://t.co/5JuSnIXdNT

Oct 9, 2025 · 169 followers View post →
philippewyder.bsky.social
@philippewyder.bsky.social · Bluesky

We are excited to have our paper "Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines" in this special issue of @science.org Advances. Paper: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #ScienceAdvances

Sep 7, 2025 · 9 likes · 8 shares View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

I love @IEEESpectrum Video Friday! We're honored to have our Robot Metabolism paper featured. Download the paper here: https://t.co/AcATvlZRvF https://t.co/jeiSrzJ2tJ

Sep 4, 2025 · 1 like · 76 followers View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

@IEEESpectrum Thank you @IEEESpectrum for featuring our video. For more details on the Robot Metabolism, access our paper here https://t.co/NspaVeYTGs

Sep 4, 2025 · 76 followers View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

I love @IEEESpectrum Video Friday! We're honored to have our Robot Metabolism paper featured. See the paper here: https://t.co/NspaVeYTGs https://t.co/jeiSrzIuEb

Sep 4, 2025 · 76 followers View post →
一田和樹
@K_Ichida · X

これってインタフェースを介して他のデバイスを操作したり(FlexRay、SCADAヘタしたらDNP3)、能力を取り込んだりできる(計算能力や通信等)可能性あるのでかなり危険だと思うんですけど。 Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines https://t.co/8JgsQ1iFM9

Aug 15, 2025 · 3,082 followers View post →
life
@marina05196295 · X

https://t.co/5WgC93ZSzj

Aug 9, 2025 · 9 followers View post →
Sukhi jeevan parash
@JeevanSukhi · X

Scientists Create Self-Assembling Robots https://t.co/D7036jJlE7 via @YouTube

Aug 7, 2025 · 43,780 followers View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

This is the WRONG way to assemble Truss Links! What is the right way for robots to build robots? One option is self-assembly https://t.co/CNFIMAddJw Robot Metabolism Paper: https://t.co/1BJKjmk26w Thanks to @YunzhuLiYZ & @binghao_huang from #RobotPIL https://t.co/Ca3aPwQawK

Aug 7, 2025 · 3 likes · 76 followers View post →
☢️
@DrakoonLP · X

Liked on YouTube: Scientists Create Self-Assembling Robots https://t.co/PnscIbPEYG

Aug 4, 2025 · 105 followers View post →
philippewyder.bsky.social
@philippewyder.bsky.social · Bluesky

Our paper "Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines" was published in the latest issue of @science.org Advances: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... For more visit robotmetabolism.github.io @columbiaseas.bsky.social #ScienceAdvances #ModularRobots #RobotMetabolism

Aug 4, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
Goldislops
@goldislops · X

Scientists Create Self-Assembling Robots https://t.co/JvUlHhy8AV via @YouTube

Aug 3, 2025 · 1 like · 34 followers View post →
Studabak - Don Ragan
@DonRagan1 · X

https://t.co/Rgk8efwMgf

Aug 3, 2025 · 2,223 followers View post →
Studabak - Don Ragan
@DonRagan1 · X

https://t.co/O8uY9vA4IQ

Aug 3, 2025 · 2,223 followers View post →
Mark E Mark
@markjunior0506 · X

@grok whatcha think of this? Is this how you conquer us? https://t.co/OYYkCmuRl4

Aug 3, 2025 · 106 followers View post →
Mailoc
@SisifoHolistico · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Aug 2, 2025 · 5 shares · 27 followers View post →
Karl Makepeace
@ionsbyfriday · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances https://t.co/nIZAxDP4Oq

Aug 1, 2025 · 196 followers View post →
Karl Makepeace
@makepeace.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Aug 1, 2025 · 1 like View post →
(公財)未来工学研究所
@ifeng_official1 · X

お疲れ様です、未来研公式です。先日のロボットの話題で、自己修復出来るロボットが現れたら永久に稼働を続けるという可能性に言及しました。どうもそれは実現していた模様。この度米コロンビア大が開発したロボットは体内に新しい部品を組み込み、自己修復をするのだとか。 https://t.co/EopWKGxfw0

Jul 30, 2025 · 2 likes · 878 followers View post →
Álvaro de Botas
@lvarofficial · X

https://t.co/KNLg7HJL3P

Jul 30, 2025 · 1 like · 69 followers View post →
Matthias C. Rillig
@mrillig.bsky.social · Bluesky

Interesting.... Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Jul 29, 2025 · 2 likes · 2 shares View post →
Juha Saarinen
@juha.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Jul 25, 2025 · 1 like · 2 shares View post →
Agingdoc
@agingdoc1 · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines https://t.co/w6lGlZ2uTw https://t.co/1dN4g0bg37

Jul 23, 2025 · 1 like · 41,206 followers View post →
Qiqi Duan (段琦琦)
@qi7qi7duan · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Jul 23, 2025 · 5 shares · 228 followers View post →
Kazuya Horibe (@kazh289.bsky.social
@khoribe3 · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Jul 23, 2025 · 5 shares · 656 followers View post →
wjmccartan-Billy
@WilliamJMcCart7 · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Jul 22, 2025 · 5 shares · 2,195 followers View post →
Josh Bongard
@DoctorJosh · X

RT @hodlipson: Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other…

Jul 22, 2025 · 5 shares · 7,206 followers View post →
Hod Lipson
@hodlipson · X

Can rotors EAT other robots? We demonstrate a new "Robot Metabolism" process where robots grow by consuming parts from other robots: https://t.co/uJY5GJhbkW https://t.co/gPyJeJPWDt

Jul 22, 2025 · 15 likes · 5 shares · 1,425 followers View post →
A. Morrell
@abmorrell · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow bigger, faster, and more capable by consuming materials from their env…

Jul 22, 2025 · 3 shares · 2,766 followers View post →
AndreaAE
@AndreaEngle · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow bigger, faster, and more capable by consuming materials from their env…

Jul 22, 2025 · 3 shares · 1,458 followers View post →
Alfons López Tena
@alfonslopeztena · X

RT @alfonslopeztena: Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow bigger, faster, and more capable by consuming materials from their env…

Jul 22, 2025 · 3 shares · 188,449 followers View post →
Science Advances
@ScienceAdvances · X

Robots made of simple modules can mechanically adapt themselves by consuming previously shed components or parts from the environment, allowing the robots to autonomously grow faster, bigger, and more capable. https://t.co/vsXN9sON66 https://t.co/wEsgA1uyQ7

Jul 21, 2025 · 2 likes · 1 share · 66,007 followers View post →
Prometheus Iapetus
@abhijitkadle · X

They are going to come for us. Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances https://t.co/jdlMVHzOYo

Jul 21, 2025 · 1 like · 2,051 followers View post →
Alfons López Tena
@alfonslopeztena · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow bigger, faster, and more capable by consuming materials from their environment and other robots https://t.co/NrN9mlD9KG

Jul 21, 2025 · 3 shares · 188,449 followers View post →
Luca Sorbi
@LucaBernard60 · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances https://t.co/BGrnz52Jk3

Jul 21, 2025 · 149 followers View post →
rk (
@ranking091 · X

robot metabolism isn't real, and it can't hurt you robot metabolism: https://t.co/gvQxsdg3Sc

Jul 20, 2025 · 2,585 followers View post →
HackerNews Compilator
@hnbot.gsuscs.xyz · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu6897

Jul 20, 2025 View post →
Andrew
@cevaboyz · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines https://t.co/e747B2yupM 3

Jul 20, 2025 · 139 followers View post →
Hacker News Top 100 Bot (Unofficial)
@hn100.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines Discussion

Jul 20, 2025 View post →
HN
@hnws.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines L: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adu6897 C: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44622999 posted on 2025.07.20 at 04:17:13 (c=0, p=3)

Jul 20, 2025 View post →
HEM News Agency
@halfeatenmind · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines | Science Advances https://t.co/rrMIYJXjPM

Jul 19, 2025 · 4,150 followers View post →
Waggoner Lab
@LabWaggoner · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines https://t.co/8sFJwOhH8I https://t.co/htE2xKttH5

Jul 18, 2025 · 11,247 followers View post →
Waggoner Lab
@labwaggoner.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Jul 18, 2025 · 1 share View post →
Orwell Huxley’s Ghost
@Tinkeringhalo2 · X

Source : https://t.co/S7N1uuHVqj

Jul 18, 2025 · 1 like · 8,208 followers View post →
Columbia Engineering
@CUSEAS · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 13,905 followers View post →
Misha Booltink
@MishaBooltink · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 543 followers View post →
asd
@QarmaziAl · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 121 followers View post →
Shapley Fürskyn
@shiva137 · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 219 followers View post →
NP AGARWAL世界一フォローを目指しますAiming best in world.
@np_grwl · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 1,791 followers View post →
(:alex:)
@_Star_Tron · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 2,138 followers View post →
Phys.org
@physorg_com · X

RT @TechXplore_com: #Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking…

Jul 17, 2025 · 9 shares · 1,024,395 followers View post →
TechXplore
@TechXplore_com · X

#Robots can now physically grow, heal, and adapt by integrating parts from their environment or other machines, marking a significant step toward autonomous, self-sustaining robotic systems. @CUSEAS @ScienceAdvances https://t.co/LUPnr9cuXT https://t.co/5enwQg0xHc

Jul 17, 2025 · 18 likes · 9 shares · 21,287 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@OrdoFibonacci · X

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines Science Advances https://t.co/mv3XySkGGC

Jul 16, 2025 · 2,568 followers View post →
Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
@ordofibonacci.bsky.social · Bluesky

Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines Science Advances www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Jul 16, 2025 View post →
Philippe Wyder
@PhilippeWyder · X

Our latest paper just dropped! You can read Robot metabolism: Toward machines that can grow by consuming other machines @ScienceAdvances. Congratulations and a big thank you to the whole team! https://t.co/NspaVeYTGs #scienceadvances #columbiaseas #DevelopmentalRobotics https://t.co/St7t99fDsE

Jul 16, 2025 · 1 like · 76 followers View post →