News about Medical Robotics

A researcher wearing motorized knee exoskeletons on both legs ascends a flight of stairs.

Knee exoskeletons to relieve arthritis pain, preserve mobility

June 1, 2026

Extending a motorized brace approach to take the load off arthritic knees, a U-M research team shifts from boosting strength to reducing joint contact forces.

A graduate student in the background operates two robotic microsurgery arms in the foreground that are operating on the thin skin of an egg.

Surgeons “walking across the retina” project earns NIH Innovator Award

October 7, 2025

A project to improve how delicate microsurgeries are conducted by scaling up tissue in virtual reality could advance medicine.

Three men walk through a lab with a treadmill built into the floor behind them. In the center, Seelhoff wears a prosthetic leg that stores its electronics inside a slim calf-shaped casing. On the left, Kevin carries an open laptop computer.

Expanding a commercial robotic prosthetic leg's benefits with advanced control

October 6, 2025

Paired with custom control software, Össur's powered knee prosthesis helped study participants sit, stand and walk more easily.

A research subject reclined on an exam bed with the eye imaging machine held in the proper place with a robot arm.

Improving accessibility for precise eye imaging

July 7, 2025

A new robotic solution can help bring the latest diagnostic ophthalmology equipment to the patient in whatever position they are comfortable.

Surgical instruments are held under a lens in a lab setting to test enhanced imaging.

Improving the frame-rate versus resolution tradeoff in optical tomography

February 13, 2025

A new machine-learning approach to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging improved framerate with no drop-off in resolution.

An illustration shows a vehicle roughly the size of a shuttle bus equipped with a chair for examinations and procedures, ceiling lights on adjustable arms, cabinets, screens, a desk, and other furnishings similar to a doctor's office.

Bridging gaps in rural health care with AI-powered mobile clinics

February 12, 2025

General practitioners with AI help could make diagnoses, run and interpret tests, and perform procedures like specialists.