Autonomous 'capsule robot' explores colon for first time

Despite its potential to save lives, many people fear the discomfort of having a colonoscopy. But in the future, tiny robots could be deployed to search for pre-cancerous lesions and tumours in the bowel, resulting in less discomfort for patients. While such robots sound like they belong in a sci-fi novel, researchers have shown an 18mm magnetised capsule colonoscope can perform intricate and sometimes autonomous movements inside the colon for the first time. Researchers have shown an 18mm magnetised capsule colonoscope (right) can perform intricate and sometimes autonomous movements inside the colon for the first time. The'capsule robot' was guided by an external magnet attached to a robotic arm (left) The'capsule robot' was paired with standard medical instruments and was guided by an external magnet attached to a robotic arm.