Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania led by Marc Miskin introduced sub‑millimeter robots equipped with sensors, a motor, onboard computation and tiny solar cells to power movement and decision‑making. Each device measures under one millimeter and is designed to navigate fluids using electric fields generated by an onboard engine. The team demonstrated basic sensing, locomotion and programmable behaviors and emphasized the low cost—under a penny per robot—and potential for scaled production. Miskin’s group is exploring coordinated behaviors and biomedical applications, including potential tasks inside the human body. The work advances the engineering of microrobotics toward clinical use but leaves open biocompatibility, control, safety and regulatory pathways. Developers and translational researchers will need to address delivery routes, immune interactions and long‑term control for therapeutic applications.