microbots
Miniature autonomous machines
Microbots are extremely small robots, typically microscopic or near-microscopic in scale.
The term appears most often in science fiction and speculative technology, where swarms of microbots might repair damaged tissue, clean up pollution, or assemble structures atom by atom.
Real-world research exists but remains far from the sci-fi vision: Researchers injected microbots into the bloodstream to deliver targeted medication.
Movement-producing mechanisms
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- programmingWriting software instructions
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
- gripperDevice that grasps firmly
mechatronics · teleoperation · autonomous · locomotion · navigation · servomechanism · kinematics · propulsion
Administering medicine to body
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantsSurgically embedded devices
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
- endoscopyInternal organ examination
biopsy · diagnostics · therapeutics · oncology · neurosurgery · cardiology · bloodstream · catheter
Jointly organized group
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- flockAnimals gathered together
- schoolPlace of instruction
- clusterGathered group nearby
multitude · distributed · synchronized · self-organizing · decentralized · communication · cooperation · formation
Ultrafine material fragments
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- molecularOf tiny particles
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
- nanofabricationCreating nanometer-scale structures
nanosensors · atomic · miniaturized · microscopic · nanomaterials · nanoelectronics · nanotubes · graphene
Industrial product creation
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- assemblyConstructing from components
actuators
Movement-producing mechanisms
- sensorsDevices that detect input
- programmingWriting software instructions
- manipulatorOne who controls cunningly
gripper · mechatronics · teleoperation · autonomous · locomotion · navigation · servomechanism · kinematics · propulsion · mobility
drug-delivery
Administering medicine to body
- biocompatibleAccepted by living tissue
- implantsSurgically embedded devices
- surgeryInvasive medical procedure
endoscopy · biopsy · diagnostics · therapeutics · oncology · neurosurgery · cardiology · bloodstream · catheter · precision
collective
Jointly organized group
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- flockAnimals gathered together
- schoolPlace of instruction
cluster · multitude · distributed · synchronized · self-organizing · decentralized · communication · cooperation · formation · colony
nanoparticles
Ultrafine material fragments
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- molecularOf tiny particles
- self-assemblySpontaneous structural organization
nanofabrication · nanosensors · atomic · miniaturized · microscopic · nanomaterials · nanoelectronics · nanotubes · graphene · nanofibers
manufacturing
Industrial product creation
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
assembly · maintenance · agriculture · search-and-rescue · pollination
- microbotsnanobot, nanobots, micromachines, microdrone, microdrones
microbotsmechs
Piloted fighting machines
industrial robots · humanoid robots · Transformers · megatrons · heavy machinery
microbotsmacroorganisms
Life visible unaided
biological agents · living organisms · natural processes · manual labor