# 251. Tiny Robots Helped Paralyzed Mice Walk Again

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2026-09-29
- Length: 16m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again-k4jJFwrV

## Summary

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich developed 'NPC bots'—neural progenitor cells coated with magnetoelectric nanoparticles—to repair spinal cord injuries in mice. By injecting these bots and using external magnetic fields to stimulate nerve growth, the team achieved significant motor function recovery in mice within four weeks, overcoming limitations of invasive electrode-based therapies. The hosts discuss the manufacturing process, the advantages over existing treatments, and the promising results from zebrafish and mouse trials.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=0) Introduction: Spinal cord injury and current treatments
- [3:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=193) Limitations of current stem cell and electrode therapies
- [5:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=329) Creating NPC bots: iPSCs and magnetoelectric nanoparticles
- [9:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=557) Mechanism: Magnetic guidance and electrical stimulation
- [12:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=759) Results: Zebrafish regeneration and mouse recovery
- [14:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again#t=856) Conclusion: Future human testing and implications

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Neurolink (company)
- ETH Zurich (company)
- University of Zurich (company)
- NPC bots (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Jeremiah Robison from Cionic creates bionic clothing to help patients walk better](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-06-10-jeremiah-robison-from-cionic-creates-bionic-clothing-to-help-patients-walk-bette) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 89: Medicinal microrobots - Simone Schuerle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-14-episode-89-medicinal-microrobots-simone-schuerle) (Robot Talk)
- [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)
- [Perceiving Touch With Event-Based Neuromorphic Computing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-12-15-perceiving-touch-with-event-based-neuromorphic-computing) (EE Times Current)
- [Episode 101: Microscopic surgical robots - Christos Bergeles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-12-06-episode-101-microscopic-surgical-robots-christos-bergeles) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2026-09-29-251-tiny-robots-helped-paralyzed-mice-walk-again. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Next Byte Podcast.