South Korea - December 17, 2024 Tiny magnetic robots, working together like ants, have achieved remarkable feats, including lifting objects many times their size and overcoming obstacles that challenge individual robots. A new study, published on December 18 in the Cell Press journal Device, reveals how these microrobots—operating under a rotating magnetic field—could revolutionize tasks in complex environments like medical treatments and precision-guided actions. The swarms demonstrated extraordinary adaptability and autonomy, with robots scaling obstacles five times their size, carrying objects 350 times heavier than themselves, and even navigating water while transporting a 2,000-times-heavier pill. While the study’s results are promising, further research is needed to enhance their autonomy for real-world applications. The breakthrough opens the door to a future where robot swarms tackle tasks with precision and efficiency.