Surgical microrobot navigates using internal vision system

Surgical microrobot navigates using internal vision system
by Riko Seibo
Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Aug 05, 2025

In a leap forward for precision surgery, scientists have created a miniature surgical robot capable of monitoring and adjusting its own movements using a built-in visual system. Unlike traditional setups that depend on external feedback mechanisms, this microrobot integrates a tiny onboard camera and closed-loop control to achieve micrometer-level motion accuracy without external sensors.

Developed by researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Glasgow, the innovation is the first known microrobot to operate using fully internal visual feedback. The design, detailed in a May 2025 publication in Microsystems and Nanoengineering, centers on a piezoelectric-actuated delta robot with an embedded endoscopic camera. Internal tracking of AprilTag markers allows the robot to continuously correct its position as it moves, offering real-time self-regulation.

The device leverages a compliant, origami-inspired 3D-printed frame with flexure-based joints for backlash-free motion across three axes. Using visual data from the onboard camera, a PID controller guides the robot along preprogrammed 3D paths. The robot achieved 7.5 um motion accuracy, 8.1 um precision, and 10 um resolution - significantly outperforming open-loop systems, particularly under applied loads.

Researchers designed the system to maintain stability even under external disturbances. Its compact form factor, integration of vision hardware, and autonomous control make it especially suitable for minimally invasive environments where space, sterility, and electromagnetic interference are concerns.

"This development represents a paradigm shift in micro-robotics," said Dr. Xu Chen, lead author of the study. "Our approach allows a surgical microrobot to track and adjust its own motion without relying on external infrastructure. By integrating vision directly into the robot, we achieve higher reliability, portability, and precision - critical traits for real-world medical applications. We believe this technology sets a new standard for future surgical tools that need to operate independently within the human body."

Potential clinical uses for the robot include catheter navigation and laser tissue resection. Researchers note that future enhancements - such as faster cameras and depth tracking - could improve responsiveness and enable advanced tasks like neurosurgery or endomicroscopy. By removing the need for external feedback systems, the technology offers a new model for reliable and compact surgical instruments.

Research Report:Onboard visual micro-servoing on robotic surgery tools