Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne scientists in Switzerland are pushing the boundaries of “necrobotics,” a field that repurposes deceased biological structures as robotic components.

In a recent breakthrough, engineers from the institution’s Computational Robot Design and Fabrication (CREATE) Lab transformed discarded Norway lobster tails into highly functional robotic grippers and swimmers.

The team utilized the exoskeletons of these crustaceans, which are composed of chitin, a natural biopolymer that is lightweight, rigid and slow to biodegrade.

Josie Hughes, head of the CREATE Lab, explained: “Exoskeletons combine mineralized shells with joint membranes, providing a balance of rigidity and flexibility that allows their segments to move independently. These features enable crustaceans’ rapid, high-torque movements in water, but they can also be very useful for robotics.”

By using food waste, the researchers have introduced a sustainable, cyclic design process.

To convert the tails into “necrobots,” scientists reinforced the shells with a silicone coating to extend their lifespan and integrated specialized elastomers – essentially synthetic tendons – into the abdomen. These were then attached to a motorized base to power life-like contraction and relaxation.

The proof-of-concept gripper successfully handled cargo of up to 500 grams, demonstrating enough precision to pick up both a thin pen and a soft tomato without causing damage. Another prototype functioned as an underwater swimmer, flapping its “fins” to achieve speeds of 11 centimeters per second.

While the concept may be macabre to some, this bio-hybrid approach often outperforms artificial systems, potentially paving the way for advanced biomedical implants or sustainable environmental monitoring platforms.

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