Robotics

From science-fiction to powerful medical tool: Robots perform an increasing number of valuable tasks in healthcare settings. From surgical robotics to applications in patient care – medical robots are here to stay. Keep reading for latest developments and exciting new areas of deployment for this technology.

Video • Robot-human and robot-robot setups

Humanoid robot team shows promise for surgery

For the first time, two teleoperated humanoid robots have been used to complete surgeries during a preclinical trial – a first step toward introduction in the operating room, researchers said.

News • Robotic-assisted surgery

Mako robotic shoulder replacement makes European debut

A Dublin hospital completed Europe's first robotic-assisted shoulder replacement using Stryker's Mako platform, expanding the technology beyond hip and knee surgery.

Article • From technology to responsibility

AI in surgery – tool, or surgeon of tomorrow?

Will surgeons be replaced by machines in the future? With the rising impact of AI and robotics, this concern is on the minds of many medical professionals and patients alike. At the 2026 German…

News • Magnet-controlled chemotherapy delivery

Treating bladder cancer with algae-based robots

Tiny algae-based robots guided by magnets could improve bladder cancer treatment by boosting delivery of chemotherapy drugs into tumours, results from a new study suggest.

News • Rehabilitation assist

Exoskeleton therapy could help stroke survivors relearn to walk

Relearning how to walk after a stroke is a huge challenge, often requiring months of intensive rehabilitation. A new approach utilizing lower-limb exoskeletons aims to facilitate this process.

News • Minimally invasive stimulation

Microrobots repair spinal cord damage

A new approach to repair spinal cord injuries: A biohybrid robot combining therapeutic stem cells with magnetoelectric nanoparticles. First tests on zebrafish and mice show promise.

News • Reduced rate of reoperation

Six-year study reveals benefits of robotic total hip replacement

Total hip replacement performed with robotic techniques has a lower reoperation rate than the conventional procedure, according to a six-year study.

News • Pharmaceutical Automation and Digitalisation Congress

Navigating the Digital Shift with AUTOMA+ 2025

What have been the latest developments in digital R&D and lab automation, patient-centric design, digitalised manufacturing and supply chains? Highlighting the rise of a smart pharma, AUTOMA+ 2025 took place in Vösendorf, Austria on 24-25 November. The event was a dynamic interplay of technology, solutions and forward-thinking ideas.

News • Human-robot symbiosis

Prosthetic technology to restore natural walking after amputation

Researchers developed an algorithm for personalizing robotic prosthetic devices to optimize the movement of the prosthetic limb and also help a user’s body engage in a more natural walking pattern.

News • Products and presentations

Robotic rehabilitation solutions presented at MEDICA 2025

Rehabilitation specialist Fourier Rehab presented its portfolio of robotic systems at MEDICA. The solutions ranged from exoskeletons to cycling-based therapy devices and platforms for data management.

News • Proprioception assessment

Robot testing reveals hidden stroke damage

University of Delaware researchers use robotic testing to spot an often overlooked sensory deficit in stroke survivors – proprioception, the body's ability to sense movement and position.

Product • Autonomous surgical navigation robot

Brain Navi • NaoTrac

NaoTrac is a fully autonomous surgical navigation robot designed to enhance precision, safety, and efficiency in neurosurgery. By integrating advanced technologies with the expertise of surgeons, NaoTrac streamlines surgical workflows, shortens the learning curve, and improves patient outcomes.

News • Study explores openness for home-care use

Are we ready for robot caregivers? – “Yes, if…”

As the shortage of care workers grows, robots could help maintain the quality of home-care services. However, a new study finds that acceptance of robot helpers hinges on several key factors.

News • Autonomous imaging systems

Virtual avatars inspire trust in ultrasound robots

An ultrasound examination performed by a robot can cause distress in some patients. Munich researchers have now developed a VR avatar system that makes the process feel more human.

News • Crawling, walking, swinging devices

Magnetic microrobots can move through the body for targeted treatments

Microrobots formed in droplets could enable precision-targeted drug delivery, improving on IV drug delivery that sends only 0.7% of the drug to the target tissue, according to a recent study.

News • Autonomous system trained on surgical videos

Robot performs realistic surgery without human help

A potentially transformative advancement in surgical robotics: A robot trained on videos of surgeries successfully performed a lengthy phase of a gallbladder removal without human help.

News • Pharmaceutical Automation and Digitalisation Congress

AUTOMA+ 2025: Smart Pharma Vision for Tomorrow

The Pharmaceutical Automation and Digitalisation Congress (AUTOMA+) 2025 welcomes delegates to be a part of its 5th anniversary in Vösendorf, Austria on 24-25 November. This edition focuses on AI-powered pharma, robotics and smart digital solutions.

Article • New technologies, old limitations?

Robot-assisted surgery in Europe: high tech between scalpel and legislation

The use of surgical robots offers a wide range of possibilities, but in Europe the technology is often unable to reach its full potential. Dr. med. Christoph Wandhöfer explains why.

News • Research on assistive systems

Robots could help patients get a grip on dyspraxia

Personalised, responsive assistance for patients with dyspraxia: Assistive robots could help patients with motor coordination conditions by detecting and predicting intent, effort and fatigue.

Video • Oloid-shaped magnet-driven probe

Virtual biopsy: tiny robot wobbles its way through the gut

Engineers developed a robotic probe that can generate high-resolution 3D ultrasound images from deep inside the gastrointestinal tract. The robot reaches its target with a unique kind of movement.

News • Neuroprosthesis research

Restoring movement to paralysis patients with robotics and spinal stimulation

A new system that seamlessly integrates an implanted spinal cord neuroprosthesis with rehabilitation robotics delivers well-timed electrical pulses to enhance mobility and foster long-term recovery.

News • Research on soft wearable actuators

Artificial muscles for tremor suppression

To suppress tremors, such as those from Parkinson's disease, scientists equipped a biorobotic arm with artificial muscles, which compensate for the back-and-forth movement of the tremor.

Video • Miniaturisation milestone

Sub-millimetre robot for interventional diagnosis and treatment

Less than a millimetre: the world's smallest biomedical robot is designed for imaging, sampling, drug delivery, and laser ablation. The developers highlight potential new clinical applications.

News • Study on productivity and quality

Robots in nursing homes help improve staff retention, patient care

A new study on the future of work in nursing homes finds that robot use is associated with increased employment and staff retention, improved productivity and a higher quality of care.

News • Imitation learning

Learning surgery steps: Robot see, robot do

Imitation learning could open a new frontier in medical robotics: Researchers 'taught' a robot to mimic a surgical procedure by watching the surgeons' performance.

209 show more articles