A new software protocol called Interoperable Telesurgical Protocol has reportedly helped multiple biomedical robots perform surgery from different locations around the world. Research teams from universities and research institutes from around the globe have partnered to successfully showcase this unique feature of the protocol.

 

Silicon Valley based SRI International, an independent research and technology development organization, operated its M7 surgical robot for this demonstration.

 

It is said that University of Washington and SRI International jointly developed this new protocol with the intention to standardize the way remotely operated robots are managed over the Internet.

 

According to officials, the Interoperable Telesurgical Protocol is intended as a starting point for discussion and development of a robust and practical Internet-type standard for teleoperation robotics. It was developed to promote interoperability through the development of teleoperation standards and interconnect several prominent teleoperation research groups using a common data interface and to demonstrate fluid interconnectivity between independently developed teleoperation technologies.

 

This demonstration, conducted over a 24-hour period, saw each participating group connecting over the Internet and controlling robots at different locations. They showed how a wide variety of robot and controller designs can seamlessly interoperate, allowing researchers to work together easily and more efficiently.

 

Through the tests, feasibility of robotic manipulation from multiple sites was studied and their laparoscopic surgical skills were also measured by the research teams.  

 

SRI’s Tom Low said that there are no accepted protocols to bring together telemanipulation systems though they have many common features. Officials hope that the new protocol they have developed will help start the discussion and development of a robust and practical Internet-type standard that supports the interoperability of future robotic systems.

 

By having a protocol in place, engineers will be able to work independently to design new technologies or work collaboratively, determine which designs work best, encourage widespread adoption of the new communications protocol which will only help in the advancement of robotics research.

 

Professor Blake Hannaford of the University of Washington said that officials are pleased with the success of the event in which almost all of the possible connections between operator stations and remote robots were successful. They were excited that novel elements such as a simulated robot and an exoskeleton controller worked smoothly with the other remote manipulation systems.

 

SRI International President and CEO Curtis R. Carlson recently addressed Malaysian leaders on the challenges and opportunities in building an innovation economy and ROBOSOFT and SRI International demonstrated innovative Eldercare service robot at Robobusiness 2009.