The Salt-Sized Robot That Thinks and Acts

The medicine of the future begins now

It took scientists forty years to overcome the technological barriers required to create a robot that, until recently, seemed impossible. Today, it is a reality. The first microrobot in the world, measuring just one millimeter—smaller than a grain of salt—has been developed. Despite its microscopic size, this construction manages to house everything necessary to assist in human medical treatment in the coming years.

Does it sound like science fiction? Perhaps, but it is already happening. The device features an onboard computer, a suite of sensors, and its own propulsion system. This is precisely why such a microrobot is considered a true breakthrough in medicine—and a real source of hope for millions of patients. But what exactly can it do?

It thinks and decides—just like a human

According to a study published in the scientific journal Science Robotics, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan have created a robot designed to be introduced into the human body. Once inside, it can repair damaged nerves and deliver medication to precisely targeted locations.

Furthermore, the microrobot can assess the health of cells without the need for invasive surgery or constant physician intervention during every procedure. This paves the way for a completely new approach to diagnostics and treatment. But there is even more to this story.

Will technological innovations replace doctors?

While we are still discussing the medicine of the future, this vision is more real today than ever before. Scientists emphasize that in the long run, technological development could completely transform how patients are treated.

“In the future—say 100 years from now—everything that a surgeon does today, we would want to be done by a robot. We are not at that point yet,”

– notes David Gracias, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Johns Hopkins University, as quoted by The Washington Post.

Equipped with advanced sensors, this modern robot can react to changes in its environment and analyze what is happening inside the organism. It can also communicate with humans, sending detailed data regarding the state of tissues and cells—all without the need for traditional surgery.

Production costs: Just $10 per microrobot

The microrobot has successfully passed all tests, including those conducted by individuals without specialized knowledge. Even high school students were able to verify its performance under a microscope. Crucially, the prototype robot they used cost only $10 to produce.

Such a low production cost clears the path for the rapid development of this technology, ensuring that advanced medical solutions are no longer restricted to the world’s largest research centers.

Pushing the boundaries of technology

Today, experts are already working to ensure that the world’s smallest robot can operate effectively in various environments—on land, in saltwater, and in conditions previously thought uncontrollable. The plans are ambitious and go far beyond current applications.

One of the key goals is to create a system where microrobots not only communicate with humans but also exchange information with each other. Such collaboration could significantly increase their effectiveness and precision. These presented solutions demonstrate how quickly modern engineering is advancing, pushing the limits of what was once considered impossible.

Read this article in Polish: Jest mniejszy niż ziarenko soli. Ten robot myśli i działa