Using Hexbots to Bridge Physics and Biology: Development of Research-Based Labs for Introductory Physics for Life Sciences

Traditional Introductory Physics for Life Sciences (IPLS) lab students often fail to build transferable skills or demonstrate meaningful connections between physics and biology. To address these shortcomings, we developed a skills-based lab inspired by Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) using Hexbots—small vibrating robots that model stochastic biological processes. These accessible systems allow students to investigate complex phenomena including active Brownian motion, diffusion across membranes, and action potential propagation. We created supporting infrastructure including HexbotTracker (a custom computer vision video analysis application), Google Colab notebooks with pre-built analysis functions, and modular experimental setups using LEGOs and common materials. Through experiments, students can evaluate the conditions under which Hexbots exhibit Brownian motion, model exponential decay in diffusion processes, and test relationships for electric field models and flow systems. This approach to IPLS labs can transform traditional "cook-book style" labs into open-ended investigations where students design experiments, collect data, and explore physics concepts directly relevant to biological systems.