IIT Kharagpur and Intuitive Foundation: Transforming Robotic Surgery with AI

On December 19, 2025, IIT Kharagpur, India’s first and largest Indian Institute of Technology, announced a groundbreaking research collaboration with the Intuitive Foundation. This partnership aims to revolutionize robotic-assisted surgery through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and comprehensive digital modeling.

The Vision Behind the Collaboration

The joint initiative seeks to develop advanced digital models of surgical care, which will enhance safety guidance, provide AI-enabled decision support, and facilitate responsible early-stage automation in robotic-assisted procedures. The ultimate goal is to empower surgeons to perform with greater confidence and consistency, thereby improving patient outcomes through standardized and predictable surgical processes.

Utilizing the da Vinci Research Kit

To implement this innovative research program, IIT Kharagpur will utilize the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK). This non-clinical research platform is constructed from retired da Vinci systems, linking digital models to physical robotic movements. The dVRK allows researchers to develop and test early automation modules using phantoms, synthetic tissues, and anatomical models. Importantly, all testing will occur in controlled laboratory environments, ensuring no human surgeries are involved during this phase.

Collaborative Approach to Surgical Research

The research is guided by a multidisciplinary team, supported by IIT Kharagpur’s long-standing collaboration with the Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. By closely documenting cholecystectomy procedures, which involve the surgical removal of the gallbladder, researchers will gain valuable insights into real clinical settings. This documentation will help refine digital models and pinpoint areas where supportive tools can have the most significant impact.

Insights from IIT Kharagpur Leadership

Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, emphasized the importance of this program, stating, “This initiative reflects the strength of collaboration between academia, clinicians, and global technology partners in addressing complex challenges in surgical care. By working closely with the Intuitive Foundation and our clinical collaborators, we are combining engineering science with real-world surgical expertise to build knowledge that can be shared, validated, and collectively advanced.”

Prof. Debdoot Sheet, an Associate Professor at IIT Kharagpur, added, “Our focus is to document surgery in a form that computational systems can understand. By analyzing how surgeons make decisions throughout the surgical journey, we can identify critical points where targeted reinforcement or guidance can enhance safety. These structured models also help us recognize simpler, highly repeatable steps that can be reliably automated in controlled environments.”

Expected Outcomes of the Research Program

The IIT Kharagpur and Intuitive Foundation collaboration is expected to yield two major outcomes:

• Comprehensive Digital Footprint: The first outcome will be a complete digital footprint of the surgical pathway. This will enable AI-driven systems that integrate diagnostic details, planned scenarios, intra-operative context, and recovery data. The goal is to highlight safer techniques, flag deviations, and trace sources of complications.
• Selective Automation: The second outcome focuses on the responsible introduction of selective automation. Once the mapped workflows identify steps that are simpler, safer, and more repeatable, targeted automation modules can assist surgeons during routine tasks, allowing them to concentrate on higher-level decision-making.

The Role of the da Vinci Research Kit

Dr. Catherine Mohr, President of the Intuitive Foundation, highlighted the significance of the dVRK, stating, “The dVRK has become an important resource for academic research, with 40 engineering groups across 41 universities in 11 countries utilizing the platform to explore new questions in surgical robotics. By providing a non-clinical system for this work, we enable the next generation of engineers and designers to test early concepts safely and systematically long before they reach patients.”

Commitment to Advancing Surgical Care

Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager of Intuitive India, commented on the initiative, saying, “Intuitive is committed to supporting academic research that drives scientific progress in minimally invasive care. Through the dVRK platform, universities can explore new concepts to accelerate the future of robotic-assisted surgery. IIT Kharagpur’s expertise in surgical informatics and robotics makes it a valued collaborator, and we look forward to supporting the team in their mission to reduce variability in patient outcomes through standardized decision-making in surgery by leveraging AI and machine learning.”

Conclusion

This collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and the Intuitive Foundation represents a significant step forward in the field of robotic surgery. By harnessing the power of AI and comprehensive digital modeling, this initiative aims to enhance surgical safety and improve patient outcomes, ultimately transforming the landscape of surgical care.

Note: The information presented in this article is based on a press release and statements made by representatives of IIT Kharagpur and the Intuitive Foundation.