Scientists create world's smallest programmable robot

An engineering feat coming out of Cornell University labs is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The new microrobot is just 0.1 mm (about 100 micrometers) long, meaning thousands of them could be packed into a single syringe. The robot has no motors or batteries in the traditional sense; its movement is powered by specialized photovoltaic nanoreactors that respond to laser light. When a laser shines on a specific part of the robot, its platinum and titanium “legs” bend, causing it to move.

What sets this project apart from previous microrobotics experiments is its programmability. The scientists have installed a simple integrated circuit (CMOS) on the robot, which acts as its brain. This circuit allows the robot to carry out complex instructions without being directly connected to an external power or control source. This is the first time that they have managed to integrate logic operations into such a small space. Although they currently only work in laboratory fluids, the goal is clear: transfer to the human body.

The potential applications are staggering. In the future, such robots could travel through our bloodstream, seek out cancer cells and deliver drugs directly to them, preventing the side effects of chemotherapy. They could also perform micro-interventions on arteries or clean out plaque in veins. Although the cost of developing such a technology is in the millions, mass production using standard chip-making processes could bring the price of an individual robot down to a fraction of a cent. The first clinical trials in animal models are expected to begin by the end of 2026, putting us on the threshold of a new medical era.