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Medical Microrobotics Lab

We aim at developing microrobots for performing therapeutic and diagnostic tasks by leveraging on remote control, smart materials and structures
Medical Microrobotics Lab

The Medical Microrobotics Lab is dedicated to the development of innovative small-scale robots—ranging from micrometers to millimeters in size—designed for performing therapeutic and diagnostic tasks. These robots leverage remote control, smart materials and advanced structures. The vision of the lab is to equip these tiny robots with advanced capabilities, enabling them to navigate complex in-body environments and interact with tissues to carry out therapeutic and diagnostic functions, going beyond simple drug delivery.

By building on both fundamental sciences (such as physics, magnetism, and chemistry) and applied sciences (including robotics, bioengineering, control systems, and materials science), the lab focuses on designing novel microrobots with embodied intelligence that are responsive to magnetic fields and Ultrasound. Among the lab’s scientific challenges are remote navigation, shape morphing control through wireless triggers, and advanced tracking in tissue environments.

With this vision, the Medical Microrobotics Lab strives to bring microrobots closer to clinical applications by identifying use cases where small, yet highly dexterous and controllable structures could be transformative.

The Medical Microrobotics Lab is part of the Surgical Robotics and Allied Technologies Area and collaborates with the area in developing smart biorobotic implantable organs and miniaturized robotic systems. The lab also collaborates closely with the Microscale Robotics Laboratory to explore how to combine autonomy and magnetic control in the microscale domain.

The lab is home to the ERC-funded project I-BOT, which aims to develop the first generation of implantable microrobots capable of navigating the body with precision, interacting with tissues by exerting controlled forces, and remaining stably at the implantation site over extended periods.