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The Diagnostic 'Bugbot'

Roland Piquepaille writes "The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a robot combined with a swallowable camera could give doctors a better look inside the small intestine. This medical robot, dubbed 'bugbot,' is being developed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in its NanoRobotics Laboratory. It will measure less than 800 nanometers in diameter and will transmit thousands of images during its trip inside yourself with its embedded camera. With the six legs attached to the microrobot, CMU researchers want to give more control to camera operators, such as coming back to a suspected lesion. This robot should be ready for human inspection within 2 to 3 years and opens the way for future nanorobots. This overview contains more details about this project."

8 of 138 comments (clear)

  1. Those Few Last Few Minutes... by geomon · · Score: 3, Funny

    at the end of the food chute are going to look rough in the editing room.

    I'd heard that someone had developed a device like this a few years back, but the thing that I wondered about was control. I guess the early models were the ones that I had heard about, because they didn't have any external operational control.

    I hope the bug pulls its legs out before the big exit.

    --
    "Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
  2. A Real Pain in the ...... by rueger · · Score: 3, Funny

    Well, having just experienced my very first colonoscopy I must say this development leaves me with mixed feelings.

    One one hand this "bug" is way smaller than what explored my nether regions.

    On the other hand the drugs that they gave me at the clinic while doing the procedure were very good!

  3. Neo.... by 3seas · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... you've been bugbotted...

  4. Or.. by sik0fewl · · Score: 4, Funny

    This robot should be ready for human consumption within 2 to 3 years and opens the way for future nanorobots.

    At least.. I hope that's how it goes in..

    --
    I remember when legal used to mean lawful, now it means some kind of loophole. - Leo Kessler
    1. Re:Or.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I'm not so sure. After all, the robot's name is "Lemmiwinks".

  5. Re:WTF? by clintp · · Score: 3, Funny

    ObFuturama:
    Fry: I can't swallow that!
    Prof. Farnsworth: Good news! It's a suppository!

    --
    Get off my lawn.
  6. So... by plaxion · · Score: 2, Funny

    when the developers claim that the QA department is refusing to sign off on the build because they have a bug up their ass we can take their comment literally?

  7. YOU INSENSITVE CLOD! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Not everyone sees those wavelengths, some people have limited vision.

    However I myself, along with my mother and brother have the ability to see UV so I'm offended that you lump us in with your pathetic minimalist vision!

    I have personally been tested at the University Of Alberta and am able to see UVA and some UVB.

    What does this mean? Not much really, I lead a normal life dispite my super powers. Actualy I know another gentleman who also has this genetic difference so it's not really super.

    We see many materials differently than other people when under halogen or natural sources.

    Oh and it makes playing laser tag a lot easier.