ETH Zurich Microrobots for Precise Drug Delivery

Published on January 07, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Visual concept of medical microrobots navigating through blood vessels towards cancer cells, showing their controlled drug release mechanism

ETH Zurich Microrobots for Precise Drug Delivery

Medical research takes a quantum leap with the development of therapeutic microrobots capable of transporting drugs to specific locations within the human body. These systems represent a technological revolution that will transform hospital treatments in the immediate future 🚀

Intelligent Navigation in Biological Environments

These microscopic devices incorporate sophisticated sensor systems and artificial intelligence algorithms that allow them to detect chemical, thermal, and biological signals for autonomous orientation. Their ability to adapt in real time to changes in blood flow and tissue density ensures they reach therapeutic targets with millimeter precision.

Advanced Navigation Features:
  • Multimodal detection of biological signals for precise orientation
  • Trajectory correction algorithms in response to environmental changes
  • Ability to access deep and complex anatomical regions
Navigation autonomy is fundamental for treatments requiring maximum precision in hard-to-reach locations

Transformative Medical Applications

The clinical potential spans from targeted chemotherapy delivery in oncology to localized antibiotic release in specific infections. Researchers are intensively working on optimizing biocompatibility, payload capacity, and energy systems for prolonged therapeutic sessions.

Priority Application Areas:
  • Precision oncology with targeted chemotherapy delivery
  • Localized gene therapies in specific cells
  • Infection treatment with controlled antibiotic release

Immediate Future and Clinical Development

Clinical trials will begin in the coming years, paving the way for the routine implementation of this disruptive technology. These small therapeutic messengers promise to repair our body with unprecedented efficiency, though we hope their sense of direction is better than ours with the car keys 🗝️