A robot has been developed to travel through the body and treat diseases

The shape-shifting 'millibot' is inspired by origami and controlled by magnets and carries strong drugs directly to a tumour, blood clot or infection.

The robot could revolutionise medicine by replacing pills or injections, and has been compared to characters from Transformers who are able to shift into cars and trucks.

Dr Ruike Zhao, from Stanford University in California, has worked on the bot and compared it to an accordion, pumping medicine as it folds and unfolds.

The engineer has described the device as "the most robust and multifunctional robot we have ever developed".

He added: "That is how our robot achieves targeted drug delivery."

The bot could eventually be used to carry tiny instruments or cameras into the body.

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