# 217. Meet the World's Smallest Walking Robots

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2025-04-08
- Length: 15m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots-8sTWn2Rg

## Summary

Hosts Daniel and the co-host discuss a breakthrough from Cornell University researchers who created the world's smallest walking robot, measuring 2 to 5 microns wide—40 times smaller than their previous record. The robot is entirely magnetically controlled, using an array of nanoparticles with different magnetic properties to achieve inchworm-like motion without batteries or wires. The hosts highlight how the robot's mechanical bending acts as a diffractive lens, enabling both high-resolution imaging and force sensing at the tissue level for potential medical applications.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=0) Introduction: Smallest walking robots and Mouser sponsor
- [2:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=150) Cornell University's new record-breaking robot
- [3:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=188) Scale comparison: Human hair vs. 2-5 micron robot
- [7:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=431) Magnetic actuation: Short and long magnets for motion
- [9:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=551) Optical sensing: Light diffraction and force measurement
- [10:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=625) Medical applications: Imaging and drug discovery potential
- [13:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-04-08-217-meet-the-worlds-smallest-walking-robots#t=797) Redefining robots and future outlook

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Cornell University (company)
- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Figure One (product)
- Starship Robotics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 147: Miniature living robots - Maria Guix](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-03-06-episode-147-miniature-living-robots-maria-guix) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 128: Making microrobots move - Ali K. Hoshiar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-10-10-episode-128-making-microrobots-move-ali-k-hoshiar) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 89: Medicinal microrobots - Simone Schuerle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-14-episode-89-medicinal-microrobots-simone-schuerle) (Robot Talk)
- [Ep 291: Walking in Space, Lead in the Earth, and Atoms under the DIY MIcroscope](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2024-10-04-ep-291-walking-in-space-lead-in-the-earth-and-atoms-under-the-diy-microscope) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep037: 2 Flavors of Robot Dog, Fitness Tracker Hacks, Clocks Wind Themselves, Helicopter Chainsaws](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-09-27-ep037-2-flavors-of-robot-dog-fitness-tracker-hacks-clocks-wind-themselves-helico) (Hackaday Podcast)

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