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Soft Micromanipulation Robot for Real-Time Adaptive Multimodal Operation
Zhuowei Li1,2, Xiaotian Lin1, Zhoujie Zhu1
1Yongjiang Laboratory, Ningbo, Zhejiang, 315201, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|October 21, 2025
Summary
A novel soft micromanipulation robot (SMR) offers precise, adaptable control for delicate biomedical tasks. This robotic system overcomes limitations in handling diverse samples within confined spaces for applications like cell assembly and micro-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Robotics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Micromanipulation robots face challenges with target variability, workspace constraints, and multimodal operations.
- Existing robotic systems struggle with the precision and adaptability needed for complex biological tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a soft micromanipulation robot (SMR) overcoming limitations in current micromanipulation technologies.
- To demonstrate the SMR's capability for precise, adaptable, and multimodal operations in biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Development of a bio-inspired soft micromanipulation robot (SMR) utilizing a hollow multi-notch agonist-antagonist mechanism.
- Integration of ±180° bending and 360° rotation for omnidirectional, micrometer-precision manipulation.
- In situ adaptation to sensitive biosamples and constrained workspaces, supporting various manipulation modes.
Main Results:
- Achieved 14 µm positioning accuracy, enabling reliable handling of single-cell-sized objects.
- Demonstrated diverse manipulation capabilities: aspiration, transfer, programmable assembly, microinjection, and cutting.
- Successfully performed programmable assembly of human kidney cell spheres on biochips within limited workspaces.
Conclusions:
- The SMR presents a flexible and adaptable platform for delicate biomedical operations.
- Potential applications include in vitro modeling, drug testing, and microscale surgery.
- The SMR design addresses key challenges in cross-scale target heterogeneity and spatially constrained workspaces.
