Necrobotics: The new afterlife technology

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• December 22, 2023

Insight summary

Necrobotics merges biology and robotics by repurposing dead organisms, such as spiders, for various mechanical tasks. This field opens avenues for sustainable and efficient alternatives in industries like electronics and may impact environmental and ethical standards. However, the trend also underscores a significant shift in how we perceive and integrate biological elements into technological applications.

Necrobotics context

Necrobotics, an emerging field blending biology (particularly dead organisms) and robotics, has seen significant developments. In 2019, researchers at Rice University pioneered this concept by transforming deceased wolf spiders into grippers capable of lifting objects. These spiders, which naturally utilize a hydraulic pressure system to control their limbs, are repurposed post-mortem by injecting air into their hydraulic chambers, enabling them to grip and lift items, including delicate electronic components and other spiders. 

The necrobotics field emphasizes the potential environmental, cost, and performance benefits of utilizing biotic materials as robotic components. This approach not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional mechanical grippers, which are often complex and failure-prone but also reduces electronic waste in robotics. 

Further, necrobotics does not exist in isolation but is part of a broader trend of integrating biological elements into robotics. This integration has roots in biomimetic and biohybrid robotics, where robots are designed to mimic or incorporate bodily functions. For example, DNA-based nanorobots have been developed for intricate biological studies, while biohybrid robots combine biological tissues and synthetic structures to simulate animal movements. 

Rice University's work has sparked considerable interest across various engineering and natural science disciplines, suggesting a broad range of potential applications, from micro-assembly tasks in electronics to understanding animal locomotion. Follow-up research has progressed to activating individual spider legs rather than all eight simultaneously. This advancement opens up potential applications for designing more efficient robots inspired by natural movements.

Disruptive impact

As necrobotics advances, the boundary between using deceased biological entities and living ones may become blurred, challenging our current understanding of ethical practices in scientific research. The prospect of manipulating more complex or sentient beings using these techniques raises concerns about respect for life and the potential for misuse. It is essential for the scientific community, along with ethical oversight bodies, to establish clear guidelines that prioritize the dignity of all living creatures while exploring these new technologies.

This technology could lead to more sustainable and cost-effective solutions for industries and governments in various sectors, such as electronics manufacturing, where delicate assembly tasks are required. Governments could leverage necrobotics in environmental monitoring or disaster response, utilizing these bio-inspired robots for hazardous tasks for humans. However, clear communication and transparency about the use and benefits of necrobotics may be crucial in gaining public trust and acceptance.

In the future, products and services incorporating necrobotic technologies could become commonplace, leading to increased interactions between humans and bio-hybrid systems. This development could alter perceptions of the natural world and our relationship with it, prompting a reevaluation of what is considered natural versus artificial. Education and public awareness programs could play a key role in preparing society for these changes, helping individuals understand and adapt to a world where biology and technology are increasingly intertwined.

Implications of necrobotics

Wider implications of necrobotics may include: 

• A shift in consumer attitudes towards bio-hybrid products, increasing interest in sustainable and biologically-inspired technologies.


• The creation of new job opportunities in bio-robotics and ethical oversight, expanding the labor market in specialized tech sectors.


• Educational curriculums adapting to include bio-robotics and ethical science, fostering a generation skilled in interdisciplinary fields.


• Governments enacting policies to regulate the use of biological materials in technology, ensuring ethical standards are maintained.


• Increased public debate on the ethical implications of using deceased organisms, leading to more informed and engaged citizens.


• A potential reduction in electronic waste due to the biodegradable nature of necrobotic components, contributing to environmental sustainability.


• The emergence of new business models in robotics and biotech industries, driven by the unique capabilities of necrobotic technologies.


• Research in necrobotics influencing advancements in other fields, like prosthetics and medical devices, enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Questions to consider

• How might this technology spill over to consumer-centric products and services?


• What can organizations do to regulate this emerging field?