ZOE

ZOE is a temporary co-existence between reishi mushrooms and a custom-made robotic system. Noor Stenfert Kroese and Amir Bastan explore the possibilities of internal communication between a robotic system and reishi with ZOE. Within this seeming paradox between nature and technology, an ecosystem occurs that cares for and affects each other through sensing technologies. It continues on to research the interaction and unknown communication within fungal mycelia networks. 

ZOE uses sensors to collect data from the environment as well as the mycelium of the reishi. It uses this data to create the internal communication between the reishi and the robotic system. The reishi and their behaviour define what the robotic system does and the robotic system influences the shape of the light-sensitive reishi mushrooms. Over time, this influence sculpts the shape of the fruiting bodies of the reishi as a reflection of their ecosystem. The data is used in the space to create a sensory experience to explore this unknown communication. Finally, the data-carpets are created from the daily collected data from reishi in relation to their environment to see if we could experience any correlation between them. These tactile data visualisations explore the outcome and the unknown communication going on in this temporary co-existence.

ZOE is the first step in an ongoing research called Mycobotics. This research focuses on the possibilities of biocomputing with fungi through robotics and other than human-computer interaction. We focus on technical and narrative aspects to create an environment for meaningful collaboration, using timelines, state machines and behavioural trees. We explore the intricate connections between human and non-human entities and the role of data in shaping these interactions. We use industrial robots and their quality of repetition and precision as the interface to reconsider the dynamics between technology and nature, encompassing both human and non-human aspects.