Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Josep Samitier is a pioneering researcher in microrobotics and miniaturized systems, whose work has significantly advanced the field of precision manipulation at the micro and nanoscale. His research centers on the design, control, and integration of autonomous microrobots for biomedical and microsystems applications, with particular emphasis on cell manipulation, piezoelectric actuation, and cooperative robotic swarms. Samitier's most celebrated contribution is his central role in the MICRON project, a landmark effort to develop autonomous cubic-centimeter robots capable of manipulating biological cells with extraordinary precision. This work, which garnered 80 citations, demonstrated how clusters of cooperative microrobots could overcome the scaling limitations of conventional stationary systems. His earlier MINIMAN system (32 citations) laid crucial groundwork, providing a versatile mobile platform for high-precision micro-assembly tasks across diverse applications. Beyond mechanical design, Samitier made notable contributions to the electronics underpinning these systems, including smart power integrated circuits for piezoelectric robots, CMOS-based cantilever control circuits, and specialized integrated controllers for nanomicroscopy and cellular manipulation. His work on optical inter-robot communication further advanced swarm microrobotics capabilities. Collectively, his research represents a sustained and impactful effort to bring intelligent, miniaturized robotic systems into biological and medical practice.