A tiny robotic capsule could roam your intestines and suck up mucus

A picture of the gut

Little robots could work together to take samples from your gut

SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

It’s a dirty job but something’s got to do it. A robotic capsule can suck up mucus from the gut, removing the need for uncomfortable procedures.

Gut mucus can be a more accurate indicator of a person’s health than a stool sample. But the usual process for obtaining it involves inserting a long tube, called an endoscope, into someone’s gastrointestinal tract. This can be awkward and uncomfortable.

Capsules on the other hand are easy to swallow and can …