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With the introduction of the flexible fiber optic endoscope in 1950s visualization of the esophagus, stomach, upper small bowel and colon became possible. The flexible shaft of the instrument carried the fiber optic light bundles, power and the optical elements. It also contained cables, which allowed for control over the direction of the instrument. Therefore, the instrument was of relatively large diameter, making gastroscopy, small bowel endoscopy and colonoscopy an uncomfortable procedure requiring sedation. Recent advances in development of low power complementary metal‐oxide silicon (CMOS) imagers, mixed signal application specific integrated circuit (ASICs) and white light emitting diodes (LEDs) made possible development of a new type of endoscope – the swallowable video capsule. We describe the development of a video‐telemetry capsule endoscope that is small enough to swallow (11×26 mm) and has no external wires, fiber optic bundles or cables. Extensive clinical and healthy volunteer trials have proved the effectiveness of the wireless endoscope in detection of pathologies in the GI tract.