Sustainable Robotics – Creating Bio-Based Interactive Robots using Fungi

Robotics is often perceived as a field that relies on cold, rigid, and resource-intensive materials that can be costly and harmful to the environment. However, with their unique sensory and natural properties, bio-based materials such as mycelium offer promising possibilities for a more sustainable and organic approach to robotics. By integrating living materials with technology, we can explore new applications where nature and robotics seamlessly merge, leading to ecologically responsible design solutions.

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to build a robot using natural materials like mycelium and hemp shives. The session will cover the entire process, starting with molding techniques to shape the bio-composite materials, followed by the necessary steps to cure and strengthen them for assembly. Beyond material fabrication, the workshop will also introduce an interactive component: a moisture sensor will be embedded in the structure, allowing the robot to respond dynamically to environmental conditions. The sensor will be used for controlling two servo motors, activating movement in response to humidity levels. Participants will gain hands-on experience in physical computing, learning how to collect and process sensor data to control the robot’s movements. The workshop will provide both theoretical insights and practical demonstrations, bridging the gap between organic materials and robotic interaction.

Bringing a laptop is not mandatory but recommended. The workshop will be in English.

The workshop will be held by our Maker in Residency - Ivan Iovine.

Ivan Iovine is an Italian interaction designer, researcher, and artist based in Frankfurt am Main. His artistic and media practices extend across robotics, machine learning and more-than-human practices. He uses emerging technologies to blend virtual and physical worlds, creating speculative scenarios that highlight challenges and issues of our relationship with technology and nature. He is the head of the robotics lab at the HfG Offenbach, lecturing on robotics, machine learning and computer vision.