Microrobots: Two Decades of Progress

ABSTRACT Microrobots, typically with dimensions between a millimeter and a few microns, have emerged as a transformative class of intelligent machines at the convergence of robotics, materials science, and biomedicine. Inspired by the motility and adaptability of microorganisms, these systems are designed to operate in low‐Reynolds‐number environments, where viscous forces dominate and conventional macroscopic actuation principles no longer apply. This perspective outlines the fundamental physical constraints governing microscale locomotion, reviews state‐of‐the‐art propulsion strategies, including magnetic, acoustic, chemical, optical, and biohybrid actuation, and discusses recent progress in micro/nanofabrication, functional materials, and embodied intelligence. Key biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive diagnosis, microsurgery, and swarm‐assisted therapy, are examined with respect to their clinical promise and translational challenges. Finally, critical issues related to energy supply, control and imaging, manufacturing scalability, regulatory pathways, and ethical considerations are analyzed, and future directions toward autonomous, intelligent, and clinically deployable microrobotic systems are proposed. The continued integration of advanced materials, high‐resolution imaging, and AI‐driven control is expected to accelerate the transition of microrobots from laboratory prototypes to practical tools for next‐generation precision medicine.