Microrobotics: Present, challenges, perspectives

Abstract

The field of micro-robotics has made enormous progress in recent years. The progress in micro- and nano-technologies have enabled the micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) actuators and sensors. A developing field has recently appeared in the nano- and micro- technologies, the untethered, micro-robots, which present potential applications in diagnosis and targeted drug delivery, implantation of active structures, and material removal. Many technologies must be developed and synergistically integrated to realize the types of applications envisioned including device design and control, device localization, fabrication and power supplying. This article presents an microrobotics perspective and the main methods for actuation. The major current challenges consist in innovating efficient remote power sourcing and proper locomotion mechanisms. Drive, control and propelling such devices require overcoming the nonlinear physics at this scale. Then, the ability to accurately maneuvering them represents the next challenge.