# Columbia University proposes robot metabolism: modular robots can swallow other robots' parts to self-repair

- Source: Reddit r/robotics
- Published: 2026-10-15T17:45:09.000Z
- RoboHot: https://robohot.news/en/items/xykq2ghmye3mhclkm21hznry5
- Original: https://www.reddit.com/r/robotics/comments/1x6sdh0/this_robot_heals_itself_by_eating_other_robots/

## Summary

A Reddit user relays a robot metabolism concept proposed by a Columbia University research team, in which a type of modular robot, after its leg is damaged, discards the broken part and absorbs new parts from the ground, achieving physical self-repair, growth, and upgrading.