# Necrobotics

> practice of using biotic materials as robotic components

**Wikidata**: [Q113369048](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113369048)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrobotics)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/necrobotics

## Summary
Necrobotics is the practice of using biotic materials as functional robotic components. It is a subclass of robotics that repurposes biological matter, such as deceased organisms, to serve as ready-to-use actuators or mechanical parts.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Subclass of robotics (the design, construction, and operation of robots).
- **Primary Material:** Biotic material.
- **Key Research Milestone:** "Necrobotics: Dead Spiders Reincarnated as Robot Grippers," published July 26, 2022.
- **Leading Institution:** Rice University (Rice engineers).
- **Core Function:** Utilizing biotic materials as ready-to-use actuators.
- **Wikipedia Presence:** Available in 7 languages (English, German, French, Chinese, Persian, Lombard, and Commons).
- **Sitelink Count:** 7 (Necrobotics); 94 (Parent class: Robotics).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary goal of necrobotics?
A: The primary goal is to use biotic materials as functional components within robotic systems. This involves repurposing biological structures to act as ready-to-use actuators for mechanical tasks.

### Q: What is a prominent example of a necrobotic device?
A: A prominent example is the use of dead spiders as robotic grippers. This research was conducted by engineers at Rice University and publicized in July 2022.

### Q: How is necrobotics classified in the field of science?
A: Necrobotics is classified as a specific subclass of robotics. It focuses on the integration of biological matter into the design and application of robotic hardware.

## Why It Matters
Necrobotics represents a novel intersection between biology and mechanical engineering by utilizing biotic materials as ready-to-use actuators. This field is significant because it leverages the complex, pre-existing morphology of biological organisms to perform robotic functions, such as gripping, without the need to manufacture synthetic equivalents from scratch. By repurposing biological structures, researchers can bypass traditional design and construction phases for specific mechanical components. The development of necrobotic spiders by Rice University engineers demonstrates a practical application where the natural mechanics of an organism are integrated into a robotic system to manipulate objects. This approach expands the definition of robotic materials and introduces new methods for creating functional tools using biological remains.

## Notable For
- **Biological Actuators:** Distinguishes itself by using biotic materials as "ready-to-use" mechanical actuators.
- **Spider Grippers:** Notable for the specific application of reincarnating dead spiders as functional robot grippers.
- **Rice University Research:** Significant advancements and documentation provided by Rice University engineers in 2022.
- **Cross-Disciplinary Integration:** Merges the fields of biotic material science and robotics.

## Body
### Definition and Classification
Necrobotics is formally defined as the practice of using biotic materials as robotic components. It sits as a subclass within the broader field of robotics, which encompasses the design, construction, operation, and application of robots.

### Technical Implementation
The core technical premise of necrobotics is the transformation of biological matter into mechanical hardware. 
- **Biotic Materials:** These serve as the primary substance for the robot's physical structure or moving parts.
- **Ready-to-Use Actuators:** Unlike traditional robotics that requires the fabrication of motors and joints, necrobotics utilizes the existing anatomy of biological specimens to perform work.

### Key Research and Development
A major development in the field occurred in 2022, led by engineers at Rice University. Their research, titled "Necrobotics: Dead Spiders Reincarnated as Robot Grippers," demonstrated that the physical structure of a deceased spider could be controlled to act as a mechanical gripper. This research was documented by several major scientific outlets:
- **IEEE Spectrum:** Featured the research under the title "Necrobotics: Dead Spiders Reincarnated as Robot Grippers" on July 26, 2022.
- **Rice University News:** Provided detailed accounts of how engineers achieved a "grip" using necrobotic spiders.
- **Academic Sources:** The field is further detailed in the source "Necrobotics: Biotic Materials as Ready-to-Use Actuators."

### Global Documentation
The concept of necrobotics is recognized internationally, with documentation available in multiple languages including English, de (German), zh (Chinese), fr (French), fa (Persian), and lmo (Lombard). It maintains a dedicated category on Wikimedia Commons and a specific entry on Wikidata.

## References

1. [Necrobotics: Dead Spiders Reincarnated as Robot Grippers. 2022](https://spectrum.ieee.org/robot-bugs)