biohybrid

One reason we don't yet have powerful cyborgs roaming our streets is the batteries needed to power the electromechanical side. They are bulky and prone to running out of juice. Interestingly, the biological side – our bodies – run 24/7 on inherent chemical, mechanical, and electrical energy. Scientists have now developed a way to harness some of the body's energy to power wearables and implants.

From navigating virtual worlds to recognizing Braille, lumps of lab-grown brain meat are beginning to demonstrate the information-processing capabilities that could make them useful in conventional computing.

I bet that headline wasn't on your bingo card this week. Researchers at the University of Osaka have equipped cyborg insects with teeny tiny helmets to steer them around various environments, without the need for invasive surgery or internal wiring.

Combining lab-grown muscle tissue with a series of flexible mechanical joints has led to the development of an artificial hand that can grip and make gestures. The breakthrough shows the way forward for a new kind of robotics.