The tentacle-like device, which measures just 2mm in diameter and is controlled by magnets, paves the way for a more accurate and less invasive approach to treatment. It can reach some of the smallest bronchial tubes and could transform the treatment of lung cancer, the team said.

The researchers tested the robot on the lungs of a cadaver and found that it can travel 37 per cent deeper than the standard equipment and leads to less tissue damage.

Research supervisor Professor Pietro Valdastri said: “This is a really exciting development. This new approach has the advantage of being specific to the anatomy, softer than the anatomy and fully-shape controllable via magnetics. These three main features have the potential to revolutionise navigation inside the body.”

Lung cancer has the highest worldwide cancer mortality rate. In early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for around 84 per cent of cases, surgical intervention is the standard of...