Researchers in South Korea have developed micro-robots (about 0.3 millimeters wide) that can be magnetically manipulated by physicians after injection to maximize stem cell delivery to the desired area within the body. The micro-robots can reportedly deliver up to 90% of their cell payload to the specified target within 10 minutes. This greatly improves upon the estimated average of 10% targeted delivery using current methods.

Dr. Park Jong-Oh, Director of the Robot Research Initiative at Chonnam National University in Gwang-ju, Korea says that thousands of stem cells can be delivered by one robot. The researchers are hopeful that this technology can be used to treat a wide range of illnesses and have transferred the rights to a biotech startup for further testing and future commercialization.