‘Smallest-ever’ robots are remote controlled using lasers

The tiny crabs may just be half a millimetre wide, but they are capable of bending, twisting, crawling, walking, turning and even jumping. The team also developed millimetre-sized robots resembling inchworms, crickets and beetles.

Although the research is exploratory at this point, the researchers believe their technology might bring the field closer to realizing micro-sized robots that can perform practical tasks inside tightly confined spaces.

“Robotics is an exciting field of research, and the development of microscale robots is a fun topic for academic exploration,” said John A Rogers, who led the experimental work.

Image credit: Northwestern University

“You might imagine micro-robots as agents to repair or assemble small structures or machines in industry or as surgical assistants to...