London, United Kingdom, December 17 2019–The world’s top surgical robotics groups are invited to submit their innovative ideas to this year’s Surgical Robot Challenge, hosted by The Hamlyn Centre, part of the EPSRC UK Robotics & Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network. The Surgical Robot Challenge 2020 is open for entries from now until Monday March 16th 2020. Full details and how to enter can be found at: https://www.ukras.org/robotics-week/challenges/surgical-robot-challenge/

Now in its 5th consecutive year, this popular and compelling contest will see some of the leading surgical robotics groups from across the globe compete for a prize fund of 10,000 GBP. With the support of key sponsors Intuitive Surgical, KUKA and Applied Dexterity, this year’s challenge will showcase innovative new ideas in surgical robotics across a range of surgical robot platforms.

Applicants are asked to submit a 2-minute preview video, and shortlisted entries will be asked to come to London to present a live demonstration of their entry at the challenge Finals as part of the Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics on Saturday 20th June 2020. The winning team – judged by a prestigious panel of experts – will be announced during the award ceremony held as part of the International Robotics Showcase on Friday 26th June 2020 – the highlight event of UK Robotics Week 2020. The Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics will be held from the 20th – 23rd June 2020 at The Hamlyn Centre in London, with the theme ‘Surgery and beyond’.
The first Surgical Robot Challenge took place in June 2015 and has gone on each year to recognise pioneering developments across a range of surgical robotics applications – with the aim of fostering collaboration, sharing resources and tackling the most complex technical and clinical challenges in robotic surgery.

Professor Robert Richardson, Chair of the EPSRC UK-RAS Network commented: "The Surgical Robot Challenge has become a highly-anticipated event in the global robotics community calendar, and a cornerstone of UK Robotics Week itself. This inspiring competition offers a unique preview of the most exciting innovations in surgical robotics, and we look forward to welcoming team submissions from across the world.”

The Surgical Robot Challenge is organised annually by the EPSRC UK-RAS Network, which was founded in 2015 to deliver academic leadership in RAS, expand collaboration with industry, and integrate and coordinate activities at eight Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council-funded RAS capital facilities, four Centres of Doctoral Training (CDTs) and 28 partner universities across the UK.

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