<p>Micro/nano motors (MNMs) are promising multifunctional platforms for a wide range of medical applications. The ability to accurately locate targets in the body using an autonomous driving force generated by external means or internal environmental effects can achieve long-term residence in specific parts of the body, such as the stomach and small intestinal mucosa, significantly improving drug utilization. MNMs have small shapes and excellent scalability, and their combination with imaging and detection tools can improve the diagnostic reliability. This review introduces the principles and classifications of MNMs, discusses their biological characterization, and presents their progress in disease diagnosis and biological imaging, with a particular focus on their applications in the digestive system. The challenges of micro/nano motor clinical conversion are discussed. Finally, the shortcomings of MNMs and prospects for future research are discussed.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>