Inspired by centipedes and caterpillars, this experimental micro-robot has shown that it is able to move in all environments encountered in a human body. Therefore, it could bring all kinds of drugs to the right places.
The City University of Hong Kong has developed this “biorobot” capable of supporting huge loads compared to its dimensions and transporting them through the body. It could eventually carry drugs that weigh up to 100 times its weight to administer to a specific area of the body.
Its specificities compared to the previous works of other universities are its paws. He has hundreds of them. Pointed and measuring less than a millimeter, they act like crampons. With its conical legs, this mini-robot minimizes the contact surface and thus reduces friction.
It remains one last step before the start of testing on animals and humans: a biodegradable material.
Find out more on Nature.