Biohybrid Robotics with Mycelium
Early experiments coupling living mycelium to robots as sensors or controllers, and the questions this young field must answer.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Biohybrid Robotics with Mycelium
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Computing, Bioelectronics & Space Mycology. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course examines biohybrid robotics with mycelium, a young research frontier in which living fungi are coupled to robots as sensors or controllers. You will survey the wider field of biohybrid robotics, study mycelium as a sensing organ, and learn how fungal electrical signals can be converted into motor commands. The course also covers soft robot bodies and grown parts, robustness and maintenance, and ends with a prototype design studio.
Only a few experiments have connected mycelium to robots so far, and most demonstrate feasibility rather than performance. Questions about reliability, lifespan and whether the fungus adds anything over conventional sensors remain open. The course is honest about this and treats the field as a design and research opportunity. It suits roboticists, makers and bioengineers. In the final project you design, and where possible build, a simple biohybrid prototype in which a mycelium signal drives a robotic action, documenting the signal chain, a control condition and the system's limitations.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal computing, useful in areas such as robotics R&D, bioelectronics, design and creative technology, education.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Early experiments coupling living mycelium to robots as sensors or controllers, and the questions this young field must answer.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Biohybrid robotics: an overview; Mycelium as a sensing organ.
- Put them into practice: From fungal signals to motor commands; Soft bodies and grown robot parts.
- Apply everything to a real case: Robustness, lifespan and maintenance; Prototype design studio.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain the principles and history of biohybrid robotics.
- Interface electrodes with mycelium to obtain usable signals.
- Translate a biological signal into a motor command.
- Assess robustness and lifespan of a living robotic component.
- Build and document a simple biohybrid prototype with controls.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Roboticists, makers and bioengineers.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic electronics and microcontroller programming are recommended; materials for growing mycelium are needed for the project.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Research assistant in biohybrid robotics
- Robotics engineer on experimental projects
- Maker or creative technologist in bio-art
- R&D designer in soft robotics
- Educator running robotics workshops
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Biohybrid robotics: an overview | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Mycelium as a sensing organ | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | From fungal signals to motor commands | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Soft bodies and grown robot parts | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Robustness, lifespan and maintenance | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Prototype design studio | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Muscle, cell and microbial biohybrids
- Why use living components
- Current state of the field
- Fungal responses as sensor inputs
- Interfacing electrodes with mycelium
- Signal reliability
- Signal conditioning
- Mapping signals to actions
- Control architectures
- Mycelium in soft robotics
- Growing structural parts
- Combining living and printed components
- Keeping mycelium alive on a robot
- Lifespan and replacement
- Failure modes
- Defining the prototype brief
- Building the signal chain
- Testing against a control
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A biohybrid prototype in which a mycelium signal drives a robotic action, with a control condition.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical and design exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Computing school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Biohybrid Robotics with Mycelium?
Basic electronics and microcontroller programming are recommended; materials for growing mycelium are needed for the project.
How is Biohybrid Robotics with Mycelium taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, practical and design exercises in each module and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A biohybrid prototype in which a mycelium signal drives a robotic action, with a control condition.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Biohybrid Robotics with Mycelium?
The natural next step is Diploma in Fungal Electrophysiology and Bioelectronics.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).