# Episode 128: Making microrobots move - Ali K. Hoshiar

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2025-10-10
- Length: 19m
- Episode: 128
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar

## Summary

Ali K. Hoshiar, Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex and Director of the RUMI Lab, explains the physics and control mechanisms of microscale robots designed for medical and agri-tech applications. He details how helical, screw-like robots are actuated by external magnetic fields to navigate viscous environments like blood, while the In-Target project addresses the challenge of controlling collective swarms without individual onboard power. The discussion also covers sensing limitations, the use of shape-forming soft robots in catheters, and potential agricultural monitoring applications.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=7) Introduction: Claire Asher and Ali K. Hoshiar
- [2:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=146) RUMI Lab Overview: Micro and Soft Robotics
- [4:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=279) Materials and Fabrication: 2PP and Magnetic Properties
- [5:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=343) Actuation Physics: Magnetic Fields and Helical Motion
- [9:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=572) The In-Target Project: Collective Swarm Control
- [12:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=738) Sensing Strategies: External Monitoring and Shape Feedback
- [13:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=800) Future Medical Workflow: Injection and Dispersion
- [15:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar#t=917) Soft Growing Robots and Agri-Tech Applications

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Essex (company)
- RUMI Lab (other)
- In-Target (other)
- EPSRC (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [75. Size Matters: Tiny Biomimicry Leads to Big Breakthroughs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-06-21-75-size-matters-tiny-biomimicry-leads-to-big-breakthroughs) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [217. Meet the World's Smallest Walking Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [49. What Robots Can Learn from Starfish and Falcons](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-21-49-what-robots-can-learn-from-starfish-and-falcons) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [35. The Feisty Crustacean That Inspired A New Generation of Super Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-09-14-35-the-feisty-crustacean-that-inspired-a-new-generation-of-super-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Robot development from Actuators to AI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-06-robot-development-from-actuators-to-ai) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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