Sonic micro-robots move without batteries or motors

EPFL's MICROBS Lab developed acoustic-powered micro-robots for targeted medical treatments

EPFL's MICROBS Lab created micro-robots that propel themselves using ultrasonic frequencies without batteries or motors. These devices weigh 150 micrograms and achieve 13,000 revolutions per minute through Helmholtz resonance—harnessing ambient sound waves for motion. The technology enables battery-free micro-robots that could theoretically deliver targeted treatments, reducing healthcare costs and access barriers. However, this remains experimental research confined to laboratory prototypes. The propulsion mechanism requires specific acoustic frequencies, and the technology has not yet been deployed in medical applications. Source material is brief; full technical validation and scalability details remain with the original reporting.

Source: New Atlas