©AFP/Yoshikazu Tsuno
Japan's Ritsumeikan University researchers unveil a prototype model of the micro medical robot, measuring 1cm in diameter, 2cm in length and weighing only 5-grammes, which enables it to stay and move inside a human body to remove or treat the affected part of disease, especially cancer.


The tiny robot incorporates various medical devices including a small camera, sensors and a drug delivery injector, which could reduce the need for surgery.

Data is sent to a computer through a slim cable although researchers hope to develop a transmitter.

Previously miniature robots for inside the body have been designed to be swallowed and can only take pictures, although US researchers are also working on a small robot that enters though an incision to treat heart problems.