‘Microswimmer’ robots to the rescue

Hong Kong researchers are developing a soft magnetic robot that moves like a caterpillar on hair-like legs to deliver drug treatments. The device being developed at City University of Hong Kong can be cut into various shapes and sizes, and ultimately will be miniaturised to travel along blood vessels in human patients. Another “microrobot” being created in Switzerland can swim, coil up and change shape in response to the thickness of bodily fluids and contours of blood vessels as it travels. The devices are among the latest examples of medical robotics technology designed to give patients and doctors less-invasive surgical options.