DARPA-Funded Tech Unleashes Robots That Feed on Robots to Heal, Grow, and Evo

The Debrief ^ | 07/20/2025 | Christopher Plain

[BenLurkin]

Columbia University Engineers, funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), have developed a “robot metabolism” process that gives robots the unusual ability to consume other robots and use their components to heal, grow, and improve themselves.

In a statement, the researchers behind the ominous-sounding work say that the ability of robots to maintain and potentially improve their physical components and capabilities, while artificial intelligence systems are already expanding their own autonomous capabilities, is a necessary step toward “self-sustaining robot ecologies.”

Unlike biological organisms, robots lack the ability to change, repair, or improve their physical state without outside assistance. The Columbia researchers say this lack of autonomy has left modern-day robots “stuck,” as their physical forms are typically closed systems, “that can neither grow nor self-repair, nor adapt to their environment.” The problem is further exacerbated by the rapid increase in robot intelligence, leaving their physical capabilities increasingly far behind.

Thanks to funding from DARPA and the National Science Foundation (NSF), Wyder and colleagues have found a way to change that situation, starting with a robotic magnet stick called a “Truss Link.” Inspired by the Geomag toy, the researchers describe a Truss Link as a “simple, bar-shaped module equipped with free-form magnetic connectors that can expand, contract, and connect with other modules at various angles.” This versatility and set of capabilities allow the Truss Link to form increasingly complex physical structures.

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TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: battlebots; darpa; robotics; terminator

[srmanuel]

Terminators and Skynet are real or will be soon.

[HereInTheHeartland]

“ In the year 2525, if man is still alive
If woman can survive, they may find
In the year 3535
Ain’t gonna need to tell the truth, tell no lie
Everything you think, do and say
Is in the pill you took today
In the year 4545
You ain’t gonna need your teeth, won’t need your eyes
You won’t find a thing to chew
Nobody’s gonna look at you
In the year 5555
Your arms hangin’ limp at your sides
Your legs got nothin’ to do
Some machine’s doin’ that for you
In the year 6565
You won’t need no husband, won’t need no wife
You’ll pick your son, pick your daughter too
From the bottom of a long glass tube”

Getting closer ….,,

[yesthatjallen]

Your link is to a photo.

[IMTOFT]

Oh, nothing could go possibly wrong for mankind with this development...

[BenLurkin]

Try this. Scroll down and it should take you to the article. https://thedebrief.org/darpa-funded-tech-unleashes-robots-that-feed-on-robots-to-heal-grow-and-evolve/

[yesthatjallen]

"Try this. Scroll down and it should take you to the article."

Your comment seems to imply I did something wrong.

I didn't. Your original link is to a photo.

[Jim Robinson]

Devouring their own to get ahead? These things are acting more and more human every day.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Flying Lotus - Putty Boy Strut (2:53)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1KOb4_XK84

Walk Smash Walk (3:31)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MYxxCNor3I