Anisotropic magnetized tubular microrobots for bioinspired adaptive locomotion

•A tubular microrobot prepared by rolled-up nanotechnology performs rolling and tumbling motion analogous to Escherichia coli.•A motion switching from rolling to tumbling occurs for the tubular microrobot by adjusting the frequency of rotating magnetic field.•The net locomotion of tubular microrobot near substrate comes from the competition of fluidic friction and pressure, and the motion switching depends on the magnetized statuses and discrepancy of drag force.•The motion switch endows the microrobot with the capability of adaptive locomotion to cross obstacles and microfluidic manipulation to delivery cargo by tuning local microvortex.