Chinese scientists from Tianjin University and the Southern University of Science and Technology have developed a “brain-on-chip” system that integrates a cerebral organoid—lab-grown brain tissue derived from human stem cells—with a neural interface chip to control a robot.
Chinese scientists grew a cerebral organoid — a mini brain made from human stem cells — and connected it to a robot.pic.twitter.com/ulRJlt5g0c
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) May 5, 2025
This organoid robot, sometimes referred to as “MetaBOC,” can perform tasks such as avoiding obstacles, tracking targets, and grasping objects by processing electrical signals and sensory inputs through the brain-computer interface.
The technology is described as the world’s first open-source brain-on-chip intelligent interaction system and is seen as a step toward hybrid human-robot intelligence, with potential applications in medical science, such as repairing cerebral cortex damage.
Challenges such as low developmental maturity and nutrient supply for the organoids remain.