A team of researchers at the University of Macau has developed a spider-inspired soft robot that could significantly improve how doctors diagnose and treat conditions in the stomach and intestines. Published in the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, the study introduces a tiny, magnetically controlled robot that can move in any direction, even upside down, through the complex terrain of the digestive system, reaching areas that traditional endoscopes cannot.
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain among the deadliest worldwide, with early detection and targeted treatment playing a crucial role in survival. However, current tools have their limits: endoscopes are often rigid, uncomfortable for patients, and unable to navigate the full length and complexity of the GI tract. Obstacles like sticky stomach mucus, sharp intestinal turns, and steep folds in the colon make thorough examination difficult.
We asked ourselves: what if we could design a tiny, soft robot that moves effortlessly through the stomach and intestines, delivering therapy precisely where it's needed?
Qingsong Xu, Study Lead Researcher and Professor, University of Macau
Endoscopes struggle with sharp turns, narrow passages, and steep folds. Micro-robots, while promising, have also struggled to perform effectively in the hostile and varied terrain of the digestive system: the stomach's mucus and folds, the small intestine's winding channels, and the colon's abrupt height changes.
To address this, the team looked to nature, specifically the golden wheel spider, known for its ability to roll across desert dunes. Inspired by its adaptability, the researchers created a flexible robot made of magnetic materials and driven by external magnetic fields. A dual-arm robotic system controls its movement while also providing real-time imaging, allowing doctors to track its exact position inside the body.
In controlled tests using animal tissues, the robot successfully navigated the stomach, small intestine, and colon—areas where standard tools typically fall short. The team is now working to refine the design for future in vivo trials, with the aim of enabling a more comfortable, accurate, and minimally invasive approach to GI care.
With such a robot, we may be able to reimagine how GI medical procedures can be performed. This technology could make diagnosis and treatment far more precise, painless, and effective.
Qingsong Xu, Study Lead Researcher and Professor, University of Macau
If clinical trials prove successful, this soft, spider-inspired robot could offer a new standard for gastrointestinal procedures, delivering therapy with greater precision and significantly less discomfort.
Journal Reference:
Xu, R. et.al. (2025) Bio-inspired magnetic soft robots with omnidirectional climbing for multifunctional biomedical applications. International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing. doi.org/10.1088/2631-7990/ae0214.