Doha: A team of Chinese scientists has managed to combine sensing and steering functions in one grain-sized machine, creating potential for more accurate drug dosing and in-situ physiological monitoring. The researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in central China's Hubei Province and the Chinese University of Hong Kong in south China have developed a 1.3-mm-wide magneto-ultrasonic tiny robot that can wirelessly detect and regulate environmental parameters such as force, vibration, viscosity, and temperature.

According to Qatar News Agency, this 4.6-milligram robot has the ability to detect stimuli and translate them into ultrasonic signals, enabling it to manipulate delicate objects like salmon eggs, as demonstrated during an animal model test. The researchers also showcased a thermometer version of this robot, capable of sensing temperature changes in a pig model. In addition, a capsule variety of this robot successfully delivered precise doses of liquids wirelessly in a live rabbit's stomach and measured the dosage level over time.

These tests have notably paved the way for real-world applications of this intelligent miniature machine, potentially revolutionizing the fields of medical diagnostics and treatment.