The Smallest Robots Ever Made Just Crossed a Major Breakthrough

The Smallest Robots Ever Made Just Crossed a Major Breakthrough

Researchers have developed what they claim are the world’s smallest fully autonomous robots, each smaller than a grain of salt and costing just one penny to produce. Created through a collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan, these microscopic robots could transform medicine, microscale manufacturing, and scientific research.

The team believes this breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era for micron-scale robotics, with real-world applications closer than ever.

A Collaboration That Shrunk Robotics to the Micron Level

The project combined expertise from two leading research institutions. Penn Engineering designed and fabricated the robots’ physical structure, while scientists at the University of Michigan developed the onboard computing systems that give the robots autonomy and intelligence.

Notably, the Michigan research group already holds the record for building the world’s smallest computer, making them uniquely suited to provide the robots’ “brains.”

Each robot measures roughly 200 × 300 × 50 micrometers, placing them on a similar scale to microorganisms. Operating at this size introduces unique physical challenges that traditional robots never face.

How These Tiny Robots Move Without Limbs

At such a microscopic scale, movement becomes extremely difficult due to drag and fluid viscosity. Instead of using wheels or limbs, the researchers designed the robots to function as “swimmers.”

Rather than relying on moving parts, the robots use a novel ion-based propulsion system. By generating an electric field, they gently push ions in the surrounding liquid, allowing them to move forward. Adjusting this ion field enables precise control, including coordinated movement among multiple robots.

Because they have no moving mechanical parts, the robots are highly durable. Researchers say they can even be picked up with a micropipette without sustaining damage.

Solar-Powered at the Smallest Scale

Powering a robot this small posed another major challenge. The solution was solar energy. Tiny solar cells make up most of the robot’s body, generating about 75 nanowatts of power.

While that may sound minuscule, it is enough to operate the robot thanks to extreme energy efficiency. This design allows the robots to function autonomously for months at a time.

Programming With Light and Communicating Through Movement

To qualify as truly autonomous, the robots needed onboard processing, memory, and sensors. The University of Michigan team integrated an ultra-efficient processor, along with memory and sensing capabilities.

Programming is done using pulses of light, which the solar panels also detect—giving them a dual purpose. Retrieving data is equally innovative: the robots communicate by performing a “waggle dance,” similar to honeybees, using subtle movements created by their propulsion system.

This method allows researchers to read sensor data without traditional wireless communication hardware.

Designed for Scale and Real-World Use

These micro-robots are designed to work in large groups, potentially hundreds at a time, to complete complex tasks. The first prototypes included temperature sensors, but researchers say swapping in other sensors would be straightforward.

Possible future applications include:

Targeted medical diagnostics

Drug delivery systems

Microscale manufacturing

Environmental monitoring

Scientific exploration in hard-to-reach environments

Despite their advanced capabilities, the robots can be mass-produced at extremely low cost, with researchers estimating production costs at around one penny per robot.

Just the Beginning of Micro-Robotics

According to the research team, this development represents “only the first chapter” in the evolution of microscopic robots. As technology advances, future versions are expected to become even more capable, opening doors to applications once considered science fiction.

With their tiny size, low cost, and autonomous intelligence, these robots could soon play a major role in reshaping multiple industries.