Magnetic fields offer the possibility of manipulating objects from a distance, so can be harnessed to actuate surgical robots, enhancing the capabilities of surgeons in reaching deep into the human anatomy through complex winding pathways. This will enable minimally invasive access to organs that are out of reach with current technologies.

Prof Valdastri will cover various robotic architectures based on magnetic control, including a magnetic flexible endoscope for painless colonoscopy and soft magnetic tentacles personalized for reaching peripheral areas of the lung. He will also discuss intelligent control, the path to first-in-human trials, and highlight the future challenges associated with this ongoing Fantastic Voyage.