Abstract Swimming micro-robots are envisioned as the definitive therapeutic tools in order to achieve minimal invasive medicine for over 50 years. Micro-robots will be able to reach deep inside the human body as it contains an enormous and intricate network of ducts and vessels filled with liquids. The desired method of propulsion is swimming mimicking natural micro-swimmers, that is, bacteria and spermatozoa. Consequently, several issues emerged due to different physical characteristics of the desired dimensions, immune responses of living organisms, sensing and control while performing deep in tissue, and limitations on the power supply methods to sustain actuation and maneuvering. The latest approach to address all these issues is to employ natural swimmers with computer control to deliver cargo instead resulting in micro cybernetic systems. Furthermore, manufacturing techniques are originally based on microelectromechanical systems manufacturing techniques; but, evolved to include a much wider range of materials and methods hand in hand with biocompatibility.