Scientists Create Microscopic Autonomous Robots

Programmable robots smaller than a grain of salt could advance medicine and manufacturing

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan have created the world's smallest fully programmable, autonomous robots - microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months, and cost just a penny each. These robots measure about 200 by 300 by 50 micrometers, smaller than a grain of salt, and could advance fields like medicine and manufacturing.

Why it matters

These microscopic robots represent a major breakthrough in autonomous robotics, as they are the first truly autonomous, programmable robots at this incredibly small scale. Their potential applications in fields like medicine and manufacturing are significant, as they could enable new capabilities for monitoring individual cells or constructing microscale devices.

The details

The robots use a new propulsion system that generates an electrical field to move water molecules around their body, allowing them to swim and adjust their path. They carry microscopic computers and sensors, and can be programmed to move in complex patterns, sense local temperatures, and travel in coordinated groups. The robots are powered by light and can be programmed by pulses of light, with each robot having a unique address to load different programs.

  • The announcement about the robots was made on February 1, 2026.

The players

Marc Miskin

Assistant Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and senior author of the research papers on the robots.

David Blaauw

Researcher at the University of Michigan who worked on the electronics and computer systems for the microscopic robots.

University of Pennsylvania

One of the institutions where the research on the microscopic autonomous robots was conducted.

University of Michigan

One of the institutions where the research on the microscopic autonomous robots was conducted.

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What they’re saying

“We've made autonomous robots 10,000 times smaller. That opens up an entirely new scale for programmable robots.”

— Marc Miskin, Assistant Professor in Electrical and Systems Engineering at Penn Engineering

“This opens up a host of possibilities, with each robot potentially performing a different role in a larger, joint task.”

— David Blaauw, Researcher at the University of Michigan

What’s next

The researchers plan to continue developing the microscopic robots, exploring ways to further miniaturize the technology and expand their capabilities for potential applications in medicine, manufacturing, and other fields.

The takeaway

The creation of these programmable, autonomous robots smaller than a grain of salt represents a major breakthrough in robotics, opening up new frontiers for microscale technologies that could revolutionize industries like healthcare and advanced manufacturing.