Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

David Yi is pioneering a radical new vision for robotics—one where machines are no longer static, monolithic tools but dynamic, self-sustaining systems capable of growth, repair, and evolution. His research centers on **robot metabolism** and **self-assembling modular architectures**, drawing direct inspiration from biological life. In his landmark 2025 paper, "Robot Metabolism," Yi proposes a framework for machines that can "consume" other machines to grow and adapt, fundamentally challenging the closed-system paradigm of today's robots. This work, alongside his 2024 study "Robot Links," introduces the concept of self-assembling truss robots—discrete, reconfigurable modules that can replace damaged parts or incorporate new material to recover from structural failure. Though early in their citation impact, these contributions are already reshaping conversations in modular and resilient robotics. Yi’s work offers a compelling path toward robots that can survive in unstructured, hazardous environments—from disaster zones to deep space—by healing and physically developing over time, much like living organisms.