Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Keiko Ishida is pioneering the frontier of ingestible robotics, redefining how we deliver drugs and treat gastrointestinal disorders. Her research centers on creating miniature, robotic devices that can navigate the harsh environment of the gut. Ishida’s most celebrated contribution is the "RoboCap," a robotic capsule designed to clear the protective mucus barrier, enabling the oral delivery of large protein drugs that are typically only injectable. This work, with 114 citations, tackles a fundamental bottleneck in biomacromolecule therapy. Expanding on this, she has developed cephalopod-inspired jetting devices that use needle-free injections directly into the gastrointestinal wall, and a battery-free, tissue-adhering robotic interface for chronic electrostimulation of the gut. These innovations address critical challenges in drug delivery and bioelectronic medicine, such as poor tissue contact and limited device dwell time. With her work featured in top-tier journals and accumulating over 200 citations in just a few years, Ishida is a rising star whose bio-inspired robots promise to transform patient care by making complex treatments as simple as swallowing a pill.