AAHII unveils indigenous surgical robotic arm and portable MRI prototypes

Author : Yasaswini Sampathkumar

Published:  1 February 2026 | Category: Research & Partnerships | Office: Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII)

On 1 February 2026, in a landmark moment for healthcare innovation in the state, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled two prototypes developed at Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII): an Indigenous Surgical Robotic Arm and a Low-Field Portable MRI Machine.

The Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII) is a joint venture between the Government of Assam and IIT Guwahati. AAHII is designed to be a living laboratory with a 410-bedded multispecialty teaching and research hospital located within the IIT Guwahati campus. This brings together the clinical expertise of medical professionals and high-end engineering capabilities of IIT Guwahati. The project also invites academic - industry partnership, collaborating with young entrepreneurs from startups like Roboss Pvt. Ltd. to translate classroom research into hospital-ready hardware.

What are surgical robots?

Surgical robots allow a surgeon to perform complex procedures with more precision, flexibility, and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

Instead of standing directly over the patient with traditional handheld tools, the surgeon operates from a computer console. Using high-tech hand controllers, the surgeon directs the robotic arms, which hold miniaturized surgical instruments. A high-definition, 3D camera provides a magnified view of the surgical site, allowing the doctor to see anatomical structures in much greater detail than the naked eye.

Surgical robots offer three primary advantages:

● Precision: The system’s software filters out the natural, microscopic tremors of a human hand, ensuring that every movement of the instrument is perfectly smooth and stable.

● Minimally invasive: Because the robotic instruments are so small, they can be inserted through tiny "keyhole" incisions. For the patient, this means significantly less blood loss, a lower risk of infection, and minimal scarring.

● Increased range of motion: Human wrists have physical limits in deep, narrow cavities like the pelvis or the throat. Robotic instruments can rotate with a degree of dexterity that exceeds human capability, allowing for intricate work in confined spaces.

Why does indigenous development matter?

The integration of robotics provides measurable benefits for patients, medical professionals, and the broader healthcare economy. Currently, India imports about 70% of its medical devices. By moving away from imported technology, the project addresses a critical barrier: affordability

Most surgical robots in India are currently imported, costing between ₹15 crore and ₹18 crore. By developing a domestic system, AAHII aims to reduce these costs by 50%, making advanced care accessible to government medical colleges.

In addition, the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme now provides coverage for various robotic procedures, ensuring high-precision surgery is an option for all citizens.

What makes the AAHII robotic arm unique?

The prototype represents a successful Proof-of-Concept (PoC), confirming that the engineering designed by the IITG-Roboss partnership is clinically viable.

Two factors distinguish this development:

• Domestic software architecture: The "brain" of the robot was designed and coded entirely in-house, allowing for instant adaptations to meet the needs of Indian surgeons without overseas licensing fees.

• Advanced manufacturing: The team utilised 3D printing for various structural components. This makes the robot lighter and ensures that if a part needs an upgrade, it can be "printed" on-site in days rather than being shipped from a foreign warehouse.

Portable diagnostics: The low-field MRI machine

Alongside the robot, Hon’ble Chief Minister unveiled a prototype of a Low-Field portable MRI (LF-MRI) developed at AAHII.

Traditional MRI machines are massive, stationary, and incredibly expensive. This prototype is designed to be portable and affordable.

• Infrastructure-light: The LF-MRI prototype is designed to be a portable system that can be plugged into a standard power outlet.

• Point-of-Care (PoC) diagnostics: Because it is portable, the machine can be brought directly to a patient’s bedside in an emergency room or a rural clinic.

  
  

Why is a portable MRI essential for India?

In a country with vast geographical diversity, portable imaging is a necessity.

Time-sensitive emergencies: In cases of stroke, every minute counts. A portable MRI allows doctors in a local clinic to immediately identify the type of stroke, allowing for life-saving treatment to begin significantly earlier.

Rural accessibility: This technology is specifically designed for "resource-constrained settings," offering a cost-effective way to provide diagnostic imaging to underserved populations. To ensure images are clear despite the lower magnetic field, the team developed RF metamaterials—specially engineered materials that "boost" the signal from the body to create high-quality diagnostic images.

What happens next?

The transition from a laboratory prototype to a bedside reality involves several rigorous phases:

● Multi-arm scaling: Most surgeries require a coordinated effort between three or four robotic arms—one to hold the camera and others to manipulate different surgical tools. The next phase involves scaling the software to manage these multiple arms simultaneously without physical interference.

● Image acquisition: The MRI team is in the final stages of "tuning" their software to capture the first high-resolution images.

● Pre-clinical and clinical trials: Both systems will move through animal and cadaver studies followed by human trials to meet Medical Device Rules (2017).

● Portfolio expansion: In the long term, AAHII intends to move into soft-tissue surgery, orthopaedics, and endoluminal procedures.

A strategic vision for Assam

By bringing engineers, scientists, and medical doctors together under one roof, innovations at AAHII are ensuring that technical innovation directly serves patient care. By the time AAHII’s full facility is commissioned in December 2027, the IIT Guwahati campus will be positioned as a primary hub for affordable, high-end medical solutions, fundamentally strengthening the nation's public healthcare delivery system.

Leadership Remarks and Vision

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Chief Minister commended AAHII for its pioneering role in advancing indigenous innovation in frontier areas of medical science. He emphasized the importance of achieving self-reliance in critical healthcare technologies and lauded IIT Guwahati’s contribution toward positioning Assam as a hub for advanced medical research and development. The event was attended by senior government officials, faculty members from IIT Guwahati, healthcare professionals, researchers, and members of the medical fraternity.

Advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in Healthcare

These initiatives align with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in high-end medical technologies and strengthening domestic research and manufacturing capabilities. AAHII continues to drive cutting-edge research with a focus on innovation, affordability, scalability, and meaningful societal impact.