What is Bio-hybrid robot?

Why in news? 

• A new sniffing robot equipped with a biological sensor that uses the antennae of locusts could help advance disease diagnosis and improve security checks. 
• Locusts have an acute sense of smell, which the researchers have managed to harness into their bio-hybrid robot, making it far more sensitive than existing electronic sniffers. 
• On the four-wheeled robot, the researchers placed the insect’s antenna between two electrodes that send electrical signals as a response to a nearby odour.  
• Each scent has a unique signature which, with machine learning, the robot’s electronic system can identify. 

Key facts about the Bio-hybrid robot 

• Bio-hybrid robots are those that combine biological and artificial components, such as electronics and mechanics. 
• Using biological components can provide benefits such as increased dexterity, adaptability, and energy efficiency. 
• These rebuilt biological functions in mechanical systems will give a better understanding of biological designs.

 

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Q1) What is an electrode?

An electrode is a conductor that is used to make contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit. Electrodes are commonly used in electrochemical cells.

Source: Israeli scientists develop sniffing robot with locust antennae