Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Alison Hayward is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of bioengineering and gastrointestinal drug delivery, whose work is redefining how macromolecule therapies are administered. Her primary research areas include ingestible robotic devices, mucus-clearing technologies, and bioadhesive systems for the gut. Hayward’s most notable contribution is the development of the RoboCap—a robotic mucus-clearing capsule that dramatically enhances oral drug delivery by physically disrupting the luminal mucus barrier. This work, published in 2022, has already garnered 114 citations, underscoring its transformative potential. She has also advanced cephalopod-inspired jetting devices for needle-free gastrointestinal injections (52 citations) and created an ingestible, battery-free, tissue-adhering robotic interface for chronic electrostimulation of the gut (45 citations). Her 2020 paper on a robotically handled whole-tissue culture system for screening oral drug formulations (52 citations) further demonstrates her commitment to bridging preclinical models with clinical translation. Hayward’s innovative, nature-inspired designs—from squid-like jetting to mussel-like adhesion—are paving the way for safer, more effective treatments for conditions requiring systemic biomacromolecule delivery, making her a rising leader in the field of bioinspired medical robotics.