Startup Taps Slime Mold's Biological Superpowers to Improve City Design
A team of researchers at Mireta, a startup founded by Harvard University PhD candidates, is harnessing the power of slime mold to develop algorithms that can optimize city infrastructure and mitigate climate-related disruptions. The company's innovative approach mimics the organism's ability to efficiently distribute resources through branching networks.
Mireta's algorithm, inspired by the slime mold's unique biology, can factor in various urban planning considerations such as flood zones, traffic patterns, budget constraints, and more. According to Raphael Kay, Mireta's cofounder and head of design, who has a background in architecture and mechanical engineering, "it's very rational to think that some natural systems or organisms have actually come up with clever solutions to problems we share."
The slime mold, a yellow blob with no brain, has been around for 600 million years, while humans have only been building cities for 6,000 years. Mireta's founders believe that by translating the organism's biological superpowers into algorithms, they can create more resilient and efficient urban environments.
"We're not trying to replace human expertise," said Kay in an interview. "We want to augment it with a new perspective that comes from nature." The startup's software has the potential to connect subway stations, design bike lanes, or optimize factory assembly lines, among other applications.
Urbanization continues to pose significant challenges for cities worldwide, including congestion, climate-related disruptions, and resource management. Mireta's innovative approach offers a promising solution to these problems by leveraging the slime mold's unique biology.
The company is currently working with urban planners and policymakers to test its algorithm in real-world settings. "We're excited about the potential of our technology to make cities more livable and sustainable," said Kay.
Mireta's founders are optimistic that their approach can lead to breakthroughs in urban planning and design. As Kay noted, "nature has been solving complex problems for millions of years; we just need to learn from it."
Background
Slime mold is a type of organism that belongs to the kingdom Fungi. It has no brain or nervous system but is capable of complex behaviors such as navigating through mazes and optimizing resource distribution.
Mireta's algorithm is based on the slime mold's ability to create branching networks, which allow it to efficiently distribute resources and navigate its environment. The company's software uses machine learning techniques to mimic this process and optimize urban planning decisions.
Implications
The potential implications of Mireta's technology are significant. By leveraging the slime mold's biological superpowers, cities can become more resilient and efficient in managing resources, mitigating climate-related disruptions, and optimizing infrastructure.
As urbanization continues to shape the world's cities, innovative approaches like Mireta's are crucial for addressing the complex challenges that come with it.
Next Developments
Mireta is currently working on refining its algorithm and testing it in real-world settings. The company plans to collaborate with urban planners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to integrate its technology into city planning processes.
As the startup continues to develop its innovative approach, it remains to be seen how slime mold-inspired algorithms will shape the future of urban design and infrastructure development.
*Reporting by Technologyreview.*
