A team of scientists from Oxford University have successfully grown human tendon tissue on a robot for the first time.
The engineered tissue was attached to a robotic arm to help it grow and improve its strength and flexibilty.
It could make tissue grafts and tendon transplants much more effective, and even pave the way for humanoid robots that act just like us.
The robots were developed by engineer Rafael Hostettler, who hopes one day to build robots based on the human body.
Hostettler said: "We try to imitate the way the human body works and we're doing this because we believe it's going to help us build robots that can move just as naturally and graciously as human bodies do.
He added: "They'll be used in research, neuroscience, biomechanics and so on, but eventually they might be used to build better prosthetics and test new implants."
The robot that trained the tissue resembled a human shoulder, with an artificial joint, part of an arm and even a rib cage packed full of LED lights.
Scientists are researching this method because, while it is possible to artificially grow organs like brains or hearts, tendons and other tissues need extra help and stretching in order to function properly.
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The team wants to do further research to find out if they can grow entire tendons that can be given to actual human patients.
It marks yet another groundbreaking development in the design and construction of robots.
This week, vacuum cleaner company Dyson revealed it has been working on a 'top-secret' project to build an army of super-smart domestic robots that can do all of your chores around the house.
The company is now hiring 700 engineers to come and help it build more 'future robotic' technology.
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