We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Microrobot?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 11,450
Share

"Microrobot" is a sometimes vague term used to refer to small robots. Sometimes it has been used to refer to robots smaller than a millimeter on a side, but has been used as a name for any unusually small robot. Microrobotics is a field in its infancy, but carries huge potential for the future. As a recent example of achievements in microrobotics, South Korean researchers have already demonstrated a six-legged microrobot less than a millimeter in size, small enough to travel through arteries. This robot can release drugs that unblock clogged arteries, which could help stop heart attacks. It is currently in the prototype phase.

The possibility of microrobotics was first analyzed in the 1970s by scientists doing classified research for the intelligence agencies of the US government. At the time, the necessary miniaturization technologies to build an actual microrobot did not exist, so the studies were merely theoretical for some time. In November 1987, roboticist Anita M. Flynn published the seminal paper, "Gnat Robots (and How They Will Change Robotics)," which ushered in the modern era of speculation and design of microrobots. Only in the 1990s did computer chips get miniaturized enough to make true microrobots possible. Still, the technical challenges are numerous. Few practical microrobots exist, and none of them are yet commercialized.

The technology required to create microbots is called MEMS — microelectromechanical systems. MEMS involves active mechanical and electronic systems at the micro-scale. For a robot to be less than a millimeter in size often means it will have design features measured in mere microns. Using the less stringent definition of "microrobot," as in a robot a few cm across, feature sizes are measured in the millimeters.

One of the most impressive microbotics projects have come out of Harvard's Microrobotics Lab. This team has created flying robots with a wingspan just larger than a penny. It makes you wonder — what will warfare or even daily life be like in a society with numerous microrobots? There are poisons so strong that only a few nanograms can kill — what would a war be like if one side had mosquito-like microrobots to inject these into enemy soldiers? Perhaps international treaties will be needed against the use of such weapons.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated EasyTechJunkie contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated EasyTechJunkie contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology,...
Learn more
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-microrobot.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.