机器人跟生物一样也能新陈代谢，受损后还可以自愈｜Science子刊

Core Viewpoint - A new research from Columbia University introduces a modular robotic component called Truss Link, which can self-grow and self-repair by "consuming" parts from its environment, mimicking biological metabolism [2][6]. Group 1: Concept and Design - The Truss Link components can transform into three-dimensional shapes using magnetic joints, allowing them to absorb environmental parts to grow, reassemble after disassembly, and replace damaged parts [3][5]. - The concept of "robotic metabolism" is introduced, where robots operate as open systems, absorbing materials from the environment and reusing them for physical development [6][7]. Group 2: Experimental Validation - The research team conducted experiments to validate the robot's growth and self-repair capabilities, starting with a single Truss Link component and testing its ability to connect with additional parts to form stable structures [12][13]. - The robot demonstrated a growth capability, increasing its movement speed from 0.3 m/s to 0.5 m/s, a 66.5% improvement, by adding new components [17]. - In self-repair experiments, the robot successfully reassembled itself after being disassembled from a fall, achieving a 92% success rate in 10 trials [21][22]. Group 3: Component Replacement and Collaboration - The robot was able to replace malfunctioning parts autonomously by discarding them and retrieving new ones, demonstrating its ability to manage "metabolic waste" [27][30]. - A multi-robot collaboration experiment showed that two robots could communicate and work together to form a stable structure, validating the potential for collective robotic metabolism [33][34].