This pill-robot aims to put an end to endoscopy: it has a camera and travels through the body

There are medical tests that are usually very bothersome, uncomfortable, that some people are afraid to do, such as endoscopy. But this method could soon be replaced by a robot pill.

This is the PillBot pill, developed by the American company Endiatx. It is an ingestible pill that has gone through about 50 versions. It started out as the size of a football, but is now the size of a pill and will enter the clinical trial phase.

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To reach this stage, according to the El Español-Omícrono website, funding of 7 million dollars was obtained. And it was the creator and founder of the company, Torrey Smith, who has tested the prototype up to 43 times.

The pill-robot is in phase 3 at a clinical company, with the aim of making “gastroenterology diagnoses more accessible, convenient and profitable.” It is expected to go on sale in 2026.

According to the report, the pill-like robot has a multi-pump propulsion system. It can also move in different directions by emitting fluid jets that are harmless to the patient.

It also has a camera that transmits high-resolution video at 2.3 megapixels per second. The company hopes to improve the image quality. But it also has LED lights. The doctor can follow the transmission wirelessly, unlike with traditional endoscopy.

Another method for transporting the pill is that it usually takes advantage of the natural movements of the intestine to enter the digestive system. But the challenge for Endiatx is no longer just for the device to be inside the body, but for it to be able to maneuver autonomously with artificial intelligence.

For now, the device could be a solution for early and effective detection of all types of gastrointestinal conditions.