US scientists have developed a 7.8mm origami ‘millirobot’ that can roll, flip, spin, and even swim.

The robot has a cross-sectional diameter of 7.8 mm and consists of Kresling origami (a triangulated hollow cylinder) patterns with attached magnetic plates. 

The robot uses the folding/unfolding capability of Kresling origami to move. 

The folding/unfolding nature of the millirobot also allows for a pumping action that can deliver liquid medicine, and its spinning motion provides a sucking mechanism for cargo transportation, the researchers say. 

Millirobots may eventually be used as minimally invasive devices for biomedical diagnosis and treatments, they add.

More details are accessible here.