Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed tiny, flexible robots designed to dissolve kidney stones directly inside the urinary tract. The robots are soft magnetic strips, just 1 cm long, coated with the enzyme urease. Guided into place with a robotic arm and magnets, they reduce urine acidity, dissolving stones within days instead of weeks or months. Tests using 3D-printed urinary tract models show stones shrink enough to pass naturally. The team plans animal studies and refining real-time control using ultrasound and robotic arms. If successful, this could be a game-changer for millions of “stone formers.”

Why it’s exciting: Kidney stones affect 12% of people and often recur, leading to repeated surgeries and months of discomfort. Current treatments are slow, painful, or invasive. This approach could offer faster pain relief, fewer surgeries and a safe option for patients who can’t tolerate oral meds

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