Researchers from the Laboratory of Surgical Robotics at University Twente have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of biomedical applications. For the first time, they have successfully forced two microbots to jointly raise, move, and collect passive objects in 3D space (source). This development opens up new possibilities for conducting operations and other complex tasks inside the human body.
The potential of these microbots is groundbreaking. Measuring only the size of a grain of salt, these robots could enter the body and perform surgical procedures in previously inaccessible areas. Lead author Franco Pignyan Basuoiledo describes it as “almost like magic” (source).
In their experiments, the researchers from Twente University successfully manipulated two magnetic microcorobots, each measuring 1 mm. These microbots were able to raise, move, and collect cubes, demonstrating their capabilities in a 3D space (source).
The compatibility of microbots with biological tissues and their ability to operate in hard-to-reach and closed spaces make them extremely valuable for biomedical research and applications. Pignyan Basualdo explains that this technology enables remote manipulation of biomedical samples without contamination, improving existing procedures and creating opportunities for new ones (source).
This research was carried out as part of the Rĕgo project funded by the Horizon Europe program. The project focuses on developing an innovative set of microbots controlled by artificial intelligence. The results of this study were published in the journal Advanced Intelligent Systems under the title “Joint Magnetic Agents for a 3D Micro-Bitter” (source).