We are thrilled to announce that the application period for our annual Surgical Robot Challenge is now officially OPEN!

While applications are open to diverse focus areas, this year we are particularly interested in submissions that celebrate frugal innovation, practical application, and thoughtful design in showcasing how robots can enhance surgical procedures with a focus on maximising impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Developing surgical prototypes for LMICs demands a focus on affordability, simplicity, and scalability. Prototypes must address critical surgical gaps by being adaptable to resource-constrained environments, such as limited electricity or sterilisation facilities. Ultimately, such innovations should improve surgical care access, reduce mortality rates, and enhance health equity in LMICs.

Applications will be assessed on the following areas:

• Application
• Innovation
• Design

This global competition draws participation from top surgical robotics groups worldwide, providing a platform to unveil inventive concepts across various surgical robot platforms.

There will be an online award ceremony in May (date TBC) and the winning teams will be given free registration to attend the Hamlyn Symposium on 25-26th June. We will also invite a selection of the most visually compelling demos (not necessarily the winning entries) to the symposium to showcase their entry! Those invited will also be granted free registration to the symposium.

Entries are encouraged to incorporate a newly developed aspect, building upon existing ideas. While submissions are ideally expected to manifest as final working prototypes, the judging panel will also evaluate designs and plans. The emphasis is on introducing innovative elements to enhance the overall concept, whether through advancements in functionality, efficiency, or other relevant criteria.

We welcome applications from institutions globally, and all applicants must have affiliations with academic organisations. While we do accept applications from the industry, it is imperative that they collaborate with an academic institution to be eligible for consideration. This collaborative approach ensures a synergistic relationship between academic and industrial expertise in the submitted applications.

All applicants are asked to submit:

• online entry form (below);
• a 2-minute video demo of their entry;
• a 5-slide powerpoint presentation.

Please note the video time and presentation slide limits are strictly enforced.

Deadline for applications: 23:59 GMT 21st March 2025

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Please contact Marianne Knight if you have any further questions not covered here.

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