A Tiny Robot To Maneuver Through Living Lung Tissue

In July 2026, Ron Alterovitz, PhD, in the UNC Computer Science Department, and Jason Akulian, have demonstrated that their steerable lung robot can autonomously maneuver the intricacies of the lung, while simultaneously avoiding important lung structures.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Some tumors are also extremely small and hide deep within lung tissue, thus making it difficult for surgeons to reach them. In order to address this challenge, UNC Chapel Hill and Vanderbilt University researchers have tediously worked on an extremely bendy but sturdy robot that is capable of traversing through lung tissue. Researchers have been working on an extremely bendy but sturdy robot that is capable of moving through the lung tissue without damaging it. Their research has reached a new milestone where the team has proven that their robot can autonomously go from Point A to Point B while avoiding important structures like blood vessels and tiny airways in a living laboratory model.

These researchers tested their robot while the laboratory model performed intermittent breath holding. Every time the subject’s breath is held, the robot is programmed to move forward. This technology further helps with pursuing small targets in the lungs. Thus, allowing medical professionals to reach targets that cannot otherwise be reached with a standard or even robotic bronchoscope.

Impact on the Healthcare Industry

Robotics has rapidly become a transformative force in the healthcare industry, offering innovative solutions across various specialties. From enhancing surgical precision to enabling remote patient care, robotics is reshaping the landscape of healthcare. In the field of pulmonology, where the diagnosis and treatment of lung and respiratory conditions are quite critical, robotic technologies are set to make significant contributions.

In pulmonology, the use of robotics is particularly promising due to the complex nature of the respiratory system and the challenges that are associated with diagnosing and treating lung diseases. Robotics can assist pulmonologists in several key areas, including minimally invasive procedures, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and improved patient monitoring.

Impact on the Lung Cancer Surgery Market

The global lung cancer surgery market size was calculated at USD 1.55 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 1.64 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 2.76 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 5.95% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, the rising adoption of minimally invasive surgeries, including robot-assisted and video-assisted techniques, is helping in reducing health risks, shortening recovery times, and minimizing hospital stays, thus driving high market demand. One of the most significant advancements in pulmonology is robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. This technique is revolutionizing the way pulmonologists diagnose and treat lung cancer, which is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

Another potential area of research is the development of AI-driven robotic systems that can perform certain tasks during bronchoscopy or surgery, with the help of a human operator. These systems could potentially improve the speed and accuracy of procedures while also reducing the load on clinicians.

Impact on Nanorobots in the Healthcare Market

The global nanorobots in healthcare market size was calculated at USD 7.72 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 8.19 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 13.95 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.10% from 2026 to 2035.

According to Precedence Research, rising precision oncology initiatives are helping in propelling the use of nanorobots for site-specific drug delivery, thus boosting therapeutic efficacy. Enhanced AI algorithms are driving operational accuracy and treatment personalization in nanorobotic applications. By integrating robotic technologies with genomic data and personalized treatment plans, pulmonologists are now able to offer highly tailored interventions that can be tailored to the patient's unique genetic makeup and disease profile. This approach has revolutionized the treatment of complex respiratory diseases, leading to more effective and targeted therapies.

Robotics is rapidly transforming the field of pulmonology, offering new possibilities for diagnosing, treating, and managing respiratory conditions. As research and development in robotics continue to advance, the future of pulmonology looks significantly promising, with the potential for even more personalized and precise care that improves patient outcomes and quality of life.

Expert Opinion

“This technology allows us to reach targets we can’t otherwise reach with a standard or even robotic bronchoscope,” said Dr. Akulian, co-author on the paper and Section Chief of Interventional Pulmonology and Pulmonary Oncology in the UNC Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine. “It gives you that extra few centimeters or few millimeters even, which would help immensely with pursuing small targets in the lungs.”

The development of the autonomous steerable needle robot leveraged UNC’s highly collaborative culture by blending medicine, computer science, and engineering expertise. In addition to Alterovitz and Akulian, the development effort included Yueh Z. Lee, MD, PhD, at the UNC Department of Radiology, as well as Robert J. Webster III at Vanderbilt University and Alan Kuntz at the University of Utah.