Micro/nanorobots at the crossroads of magnetism and light

Abstract Magnetic and light-driven micro- and nanorobots represent a rapidly advancing class of active materials capable of autonomous motion, precise navigation, and multifunctional operation at the microscale. While magnetic actuation enables robust, fuel-free propulsion and high controllability even in complex media, light-driven mechanisms offer simple implementation and the possibility of integrating photocatalytic or photothermal functionalities. Their combination provides a powerful synergistic strategy to overcome the intrinsic limitations of individual propulsion methods, enabling enhanced performance, reconfigurable collective behaviours, and environment-specific adaptability. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles underlying magnetic and optical actuation, compares their strengths and limitations, and highlights key design strategies for integrating both stimuli within a single micro- and nanorobotic platform. Representative hybrid systems are discussed, including magnetically guided photocatalytic robots, light-activated and magnetically steered robots, and magnetically assembled light-powered swarms. Finally, we examine emerging applications in biomedicine and environmental remediation, such as targeted therapy and pollutant degradation. Through the synergy between magnetism and light, these hybrid robots pave the way for next-generation autonomous microsystems capable of operating in realistic and dynamically changing environments.