AI-enabled surgical models are set to advance significantly as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has announced a new research collaboration with the Intuitive Foundation.
The partnership aims to develop intelligent digital models that can strengthen the scientific foundation of robotic surgery and support safer, more consistent, and potentially automated surgical procedures in the future.
Under this initiative, researchers from IIT Kharagpur will work closely with clinicians and technology specialists to create structured digital representations of surgical workflows. These models are designed to capture how surgeries are actually performed, step by step, allowing artificial intelligence systems to learn from real-world practices rather than idealised assumptions.
A key element of the project is the use of the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK). This is a non-clinical research platform built from retired robotic surgical systems and is widely used for academic experimentation.
Importantly, the platform enables controlled laboratory research without involving human patients, ensuring safety while allowing researchers to test and refine advanced AI-driven approaches.
According to IIT Kharagpur, the initiative focuses on building a strong digital foundation for surgical decision-making. By mapping how surgeons make choices during procedures and identifying repetitive or standardised tasks, the project seeks to support AI-based decision support tools and early-stage automation that remains responsible and human-supervised.
Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, highlighted the importance of such collaborations in addressing complex healthcare challenges. He noted that the programme reflects the strength of partnerships between academia, clinicians, and global technology organisations. By combining engineering science with real-world surgical expertise, the initiative aims to create knowledge that can be validated, shared, and advanced collectively.
One of the major research goals is to analyse real-world surgical data to improve predictability and safety. The team plans to study documented procedures such as cholecystectomy in detail. By examining these procedures closely, researchers can refine digital models that help identify safer techniques, reduce variability, and better anticipate potential complications.
The project also seeks to develop a comprehensive digital footprint of the entire surgical pathway. This includes diagnostic information, planned surgical scenarios, intra-operative context, and post-operative recovery data.
When integrated into AI-driven systems, this end-to-end view can help flag deviations from best practices, trace the sources of complications, and support continuous improvement in surgical care.
Another important objective is identifying routine surgical tasks that may be suitable for automation. By allowing AI systems to assist with repetitive actions, surgeons can focus more on complex decision-making and critical judgement during operations. The emphasis, however, remains on augmentation rather than replacement, with human expertise staying at the centre of care delivery.
Rohit Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager of Intuitive India, said the company is committed to supporting academic research that advances minimally invasive care. He explained that platforms like the dVRK allow universities to explore new concepts that can accelerate the future of robotic-assisted surgery. IIT Kharagpur’s strengths in surgical informatics and robotics, he added, make it a valuable academic partner.
The collaboration also involves clinical partners such as Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that research insights are grounded in real clinical needs and practical surgical experience, rather than remaining purely theoretical.
Overall, the findings from this research are expected to contribute to broader efforts in surgical informatics, robotics, and AI-driven clinical decision support. As healthcare systems worldwide look to improve safety, consistency, and outcomes, AI-enabled surgical models developed through such collaborations could play a crucial role in shaping the future of surgery.
Stay ahead of the curve in AI, robotics, and healthcare innovation, visit ainewstoday.org for more timely and insightful AI news updates.
