this post was submitted on 20 Dec 2025
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US researchers have developed the world's smallest fully programmable robots, on a scale of 0.2-0.5 millimeters, the same size as microorganisms that cause diseases like dysentery and schistosomiasis. (futurology.today)
submitted 10 hours ago by Lugh@futurology.today to c/futurology@futurology.today
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In most people's sci-fi nightmares about robots trying to wipe out humanity, the robots tend to be big. But wouldn't they be more deadly if they were tiny? 0.2-0.5 millimeters is bigger than bacteria or viruses, but it's the size range of many single-cell protozoans.

That possibility is bad enough, but we'd better hope no one figures out how to make these things self-replicating. Think that sounds far-fetched? Evolution figured it out with single-cell organisms 2 billion years ago, and they haven't faltered since.

World’s smallest programmable robots perform tasks: Microscale swimming bots developed by U-M and Penn take in sensory information, process it, and carry out tasks, opening new possibilities in manufacturing and medicine.

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[–] Lugh@futurology.today 2 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

I wasn't thinking about the little robots figuring it out. I was thinking of humans designing it, and releasing it (perhaps accidentally).

[–] PattyMcB@lemmy.world 2 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

And look at the havoc that relatively simple but communal organisms can wreak (ants),

Then there are bacteria, viruses, and other single-celled organisms.

All one would need to do is replicate itself and produce a toxin.

[–] KRAW@linux.community 1 points 4 hours ago

But then that's not evolution?