Nanorobotics: Type, Synthesis, and Medical Applications

Nanorobotics has emerged as a transformative domain in precision medicine, integrating nanotechnology, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enable diagnosis and therapy at the molecular and cellular levels. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of nanorobotics in medicine, beginning with its definition, scope, and historical evolution from early nanotechnology concepts to advanced intelligent nanosystems. The role of AI in nanorobot design, navigation, and control is emphasized, highlighting its advantages over conventional nanotechnology and traditional medical approaches. Various classifications and types of nanorobots are discussed, including biological and synthetic systems, DNA-based and protein-based nanorobots, as well as magnetically, acoustically, and light-driven nanorobots. Emerging concepts such as swarm nanorobotics and collective intelligence are also explored. The chapter examines materials and structural design considerations, focusing on biocompatible and biodegradable materials, surface functionalization, targeting ligands, and mechanical stability. Advanced synthesis and fabrication techniques, including bottom-up and top-down approaches, DNA origami, micro–nanofabrication, and AI-assisted optimization, are detailed. Navigation, control, and powering strategies using external fields, autonomous AI algorithms, propulsion mechanisms, and real-time feedback systems are reviewed. Major medical applications in drug delivery, targeted cancer therapy, diagnostics, minimally invasive surgery, and regenerative medicine are highlighted. Finally, key challenges related to toxicity, immunogenicity, ethics, regulation, scalability, and clinical translation are discussed, along with future perspectives on AI-driven nanorobotics. Overall, this chapter underscores the potential of nanorobotics to revolutionize next-generation healthcare.