What happens when living organisms become components of our machines—and our machines become partly alive? In fact – how do we tell when or if something is ALIVE? In this episode, hosts Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard sit down with guest Sean Dudley (Associate Vice President, ASU Knowledge Enterprise) to unpack the rapidly emerging field of bio‑hybrid robotics. Dudley breaks the field into four sub‑domains: (1) micro‑robots that harness algae or bacteria for propulsion, (2) living‑tissue–integrated robots that marry 3‑D‑printed scaffolds with cultured muscle to create bio‑actuators, (3) cyborg systems where neural or electrical interfaces steer insects, eels, jellyfish, and even beetles for tasks such as search‑and‑rescue, and (4) living sensors like daphnia “canaries” that signal water pollution. The trio explores spectacular demos—from moth‑nose drones that out‑sniff synthetic sensors to cockroach leaders guiding autonomous swarms—and considers how AI design tools are accelerating “shopping‑list” construction of hybrid devices. They also tackle the thorny ethics: animal agency, post‑augmentation identity, cultural concepts of dignity, DARPA’s HYBRID program, and the specter of unregulated DIY tinkerers. Throughout, the conversation returns to the central question of care: How do we balance breakthrough capabilities in medicine, environmental monitoring, and disaster response against the risks of weaponization, ecological disruption, and blurred human/machine boundaries? If you’re curious about the future intersections of technology, biology, and society, this episode is a must‑listen—and a reminder that the line between organism and robot is already dissolving.

Links: 

• Sean Dudley [ASU Bio]
• Backyardbrains.com [website]
• Video Conversation with Michael Levin [YouTube]
• BioHybrid sub Reddit: [web]

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Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu

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Host Bios:

Sean M. Leahy, PhD - ASU Bio
Sean is an an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is a Foresight Catalyst for the Future of Being Human Initiative and Research Scientist for the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University.

Andrew Maynard, PhD - ASU Bio
Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU School for the Future of Innovation in Society. He is the founder of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative, Director of the ASU Risk Innovation Nexus, and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU College of Global Futures.

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