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Hybridizing Biology and Robotics through Integration for Deployable Systems (HyBRIDS)

ID: DARPA-EA-25-02-01 • Type: Solicitation

Description

Robotic platforms are deployed in various national security contexts, but many operational environments and applications remain out of reach for existing technologies. Nature provides inspiration and solutions to advance robotic technologies, but the performance of biological systems remains largely unmatched even as robotic systems become increasingly sophisticated. Recent advancements in coupled with the convergence of engineering and biology have propelled the development of biohybrid robots, which combine biological and synthetic components. Biohybrid systems could have distinct advantages over traditional synthetic robots in some operational contexts. While fully engineered abiotic systems prioritize controllability and precision for on-demand performance, biological systems inherently excel in their resiliency, sensitivity, adaptability, and efficiency. Biohybrid robots aim to combine the best features of both realms by leveraging the precise control of engineered parts while harnessing the unique, innate capabilities of biological elements. Successfully integrating biological components (e.g., cells, tissues, or organisms) could extend the functionality of robotic systems.
Despite their promise, today's biohybrid robots typically underperform their fully synthetic counterparts and their potential as predicted from a reductionist assessment of constituents. Many systems represent enticing proofs of concept with limited practical applicability. Most remain confined to controlled laboratory settings and lack feasibility in complex real-world environments. Developing biohybrid robots is currently a painstaking, bespoke process, and the resulting systems are routinely inadequately characterized. Complex, intertwined relationships between component, interface, and system performance are poorly understood, and methodologies to guide informed design of biohybrid systems are lacking.
The HyBRIDS ARC opportunity seeks ideas to address the question: How can synthetic and biological components be integrated to enable biohybrid platforms that outperform traditional robotic systems?
Background
The HyBRIDS ARC opportunity is initiated by DARPA to explore the integration of synthetic and biological components in robotic platforms, aiming to enhance their performance in national security contexts. The goal is to develop biohybrid robots that leverage the strengths of both engineered systems and biological elements, addressing the limitations of current robotic technologies which often underperform in complex real-world environments. This initiative seeks innovative ideas that can lead to the creation of biohybrid systems capable of surpassing traditional robotic systems.

Work Details
Proposers are required to submit a research plan that includes:
(1) detailed intermediate technical objectives with defined evaluation measures;
(2) a schedule segmented monthly or quarterly outlining corresponding deliverables.

The research plan must consider ethical, legal, and societal implications (ELSI) and include a framework for incorporating ELSI into the project. Selected performers will conduct a kick-off meeting within one month after award to define technical approaches, followed by milestone status meetings to report on progress. The final milestone must present a detailed analytical framework reflecting changes during the performance period, discuss remaining technical obstacles for deploying biohybrid robots, and justify how the proposed concept could exceed existing alternatives through clear quantitative calculations.

Reports required include monthly updates, milestone technical reports detailing progress and adherence to ELSI frameworks, a final technical report summarizing all milestones, and a final opportunity outbrief summarizing completed work.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a specified period that includes various milestones and deliverables segmented monthly or quarterly.

Overview

Response Deadline
April 3, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EDT Past Due
Posted
Jan. 3, 2025, 8:41 a.m. EST
Set Aside
None
Place of Performance
Not Provided
Source
SAM

Current SBA Size Standard
1000 Employees
Pricing
Multiple Types Common
Est. Level of Competition
High
On 1/3/25 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency issued Solicitation DARPA-EA-25-02-01 for Hybridizing Biology and Robotics through Integration for Deployable Systems (HyBRIDS) due 4/3/25. The opportunity was issued full & open with NAICS 541715 and PSC AC11.
Primary Contact
Name
BAA Coordinator   Profile
Phone
None

Documents

Posted documents for Solicitation DARPA-EA-25-02-01

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Additional Details

Source Agency Hierarchy
DEPT OF DEFENSE > DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) > DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCY
FPDS Organization Code
97AE-HR0011
Source Organization Code
500035490
Last Updated
Jan. 3, 2025
Last Updated By
darpa.fbo.gov@darpa.mil
Archive Date
May 3, 2025