Small Robots, Microbots, To Aid Medical Operations Currently In Development

Small robots may be humanity's hope against deadly diseases.

Scientists found that small robots can more efficiently deliver drugs and assist doctors when conducting medical operations. Once just a figment on scientists' imagination, a new report claimed that the world is one step closer to the reality that small bots will exist for this positive purpose.

Scientist Selman Sakar of EPFL, a known research organization in Luasanne, Switzerlad, worked with Hen-Wei Huang and Bradley Nelson of ETHZ, which is a Zurich University to deliver the positive news. 

The team claimed that they are already developing a simple and versatile method for creating these small robots called microbots inspired by nature. The robots will all come with advanced features. They also have prepared a platform for testing these robots. 

What will these microbots do? According to Stgist, the microbots will act like a bacterium. The robots will soft, flexible and more remarkably - motor less. The robots have been created with biocompatible hydrogel as well as magnetic nano particles. 

These nano particles are crucial for how the robots will function. These nano particles provide the small robots their shape. When an electromagnetic field is applied, the nano particles make it possible for the microbots to swim and move. 

The microbots developed by these researchers in particular, can mimic bacterium that causes the African trypanosomiasis, the main bacteria behind "sleeping sickness."

Once fully developed, the microbots can deliver drugs in the body system. TO date however, this is only in the development phase. The side-effects are also being explored before these microbots will be allowed to be used in real operations or drug delivery.

This is not the first time that it is reported that microbots are being developed for healthcare purposes. In 2015, there were also reports that Smithsonian was already testing out small robots for clearing arteries. Tech City News even claimed that one day, robots just might replace doctors. The idea that robots can aid in people's healthcare will be a reality, sooner than later.