News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Snake-Inspired Robot Tested in Pigs' Small Intestines

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Read the story

Researchers at MIT and UT Southwestern have tested a soft robot designed to travel through the small intestine, a long and difficult part of the body for doctors to examine. Its movement and grip were inspired by snakes.

In pig studies, the robot moved about two metres. The team demonstrated a camera, a tissue-sampling tool and a liquid sprayer. UT Southwestern says the device needs more engineering and safety checks before human testing.

Source: MIT News, 2026-10-28. https://news.mit.edu/2026/soft-robot-could-help-doctors-diagnose-treat-small-intestine-disorders-1028

Read and practise

1. Which institutions worked on the robot described in the article?

   1. MIT and UT Southwestern
   2. NASA and the European Space Agency
   3. Oxford and Cambridge

2. Which tools did the researchers demonstrate?

   1. A camera, a tissue-sampling tool and a liquid sprayer
   2. A camera and a tissue-sampling tool only
   3. A liquid sprayer and a camera only

Your turn

What did the researchers test in pigs, and what is still needed before human testing?

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/snake-inspired-robot-small-intestine-pig-tests-october-2026/level-2/