Researchers in China, Hong Kong, and other countries have developed a new technology that uses swarms of tiny robots to treat stubborn infected sinuses. The micro-robots, which are no larger than a speck of dust, can be deployed through the nose into the sinus cavity, where they use heat and chemicals to kill bacterial infections.
The robots are guided by electromagnetism and are designed to target specific areas, reducing the risk of side effects. They have already shown promise in pre-clinical trials on animals, including pigs and rabbits, with no obvious tissue damage reported.
Future applications for the technology could include treating infections in other parts of the body, such as the respiratory tract, stomach, and bladder. The researchers believe that micro-robots could become available for clinical use within five to 10 years, once regulators have approved their use and manufacturing processes are developed.
However, experts warn that there are potential risks associated with introducing non-biological objects into the human body, including the possibility of some robots being left behind and causing longer-term side effects. Public suspicion and conspiracy theories about robots in the body also pose a challenge.
Despite these concerns, experts believe that micro-robots have the potential to complement existing therapies and offer targeted interventions that could reduce reliance on antibiotics and other generalised medicines.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jun/25/swarms-of-tiny-nose-robots-could-clear-infected-sinuses-researchers-say