Medical robotics aims to deliver technologies that create real value for patients through improved diagnosis and treatment. In this field, the beginning of true value creation is often marked by the achievement of the first-in-human study, when a research concept demonstrates its feasibility and safety in clinical practice. However, the journey from ideation to this milestone is highly complex. Many promising technologies fail to progress beyond laboratory prototypes and become trapped in the well-known “Valley of Death” between academic innovation and clinical adoption. The challenges in this journey often extend beyond standard textbook knowledge; the critical insights and solutions can only be discovered through iterative empirical studies in realistic pre-clinical environments. Overcoming this gap therefore requires more than technical breakthroughs. It demands a robust translation model that enables close collaboration between engineers and clinicians. Such a model allows researchers to systematically address the subtle and often tedious details of real clinical environments—workflow constraints, surgical ergonomics, safety considerations, and regulatory requirements—that are frequently overlooked in the broader academic research community but are essential for delivering meaningful patient value.

To facilitate deeper exchange and understanding of this translation journey, the Hamlyn Symposium on Medical Robotics introduces a new flagship format in partnership with the Multiscale Medical Robotics Center (MRC, InnoHK): the MRC-Hamlyn Workshop. This interactive workshop will feature live technology demonstrations conducted in realistic pre-clinical settings, providing participants with a rare opportunity to observe how pioneering ideas evolve toward clinical translation. The showcased systems represent different stages along the path of crossing the Valley of Death—from technologies that have already achieved first-in-human studies to those undergoing rigorous pre-clinical validation with a clear pathway toward clinical deployment. By bringing together leading researchers, clinicians, industry partners, funding agencies, and regulatory stakeholders, we aim to foster a connected ecosystem that supports the translation of innovative concepts into medical technologies.

Through demonstrations and discussions, participants will gain a comprehensive and realistic perspective on how medical robotics progresses from ideation to the beginning of value creation.

Separate workshop registration is required.