The new Russia-China Centre for Medical Robots to be located at Skolkovo Technopark June 23, 2016, 10:22

This significant project was established by Russian scientists from the Institute of Design-Engineering Informatics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKTI RAS) jointly with the Department of Urology of Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (MSUMD), with the assistance of Russia’s Federal Agency for Scientific Organizations (FASO). Partners in the project include the SKOLKOVO Foundation and Xixian Fengdong, a Chinese Technopark, as well as Panther Healthcare, which specialises in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of surgical devices and instruments in China.

In conjunction with MSUMD’s Department of Urology, a team from IKTI RAS has developed an innovative concept for surgical robots, which will introduce new solutions to improve control mechanisms and the interaction between robots and surgeons. Under this new design concept, the robots have a number of unique features including being more compact, lighter and able to move with greater precision than existing models available. Production and maintenance costs are also much lower.

The new concept will form the basis of the new Russia-China Centre for Medical Robots. The Centre will be located at the SKOLKOVO Technopark and will focus on scientific research, design work, and software development, as well as the production of technologically complex robot components in Russia.

The next stage of the project will oversee the establishment of these medical robots in China in close cooperation with a number of Chinese partners, including Panther Healthcare as well as other Chinese investors, and medical institutions. Through partnership with the Xixian Fengdong Technopark, a platform will be created in China to facilitate manufacture on an industrial scale with the use of leading Russian technologies and the most efficient production solutions. It will also offer a global sales and maintenance capability.

Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), noted:

«This exciting project in the important field of medical robotics will enable Russia and China to combine their scientific, technological, and industrial expertise. This project is unique, not only in terms of the invention itself, but in building a mechanism for its further development in a significant new market. It is a great example of how leading Russian inventions and technologies can capitalize on an opportunity to enter one of the biggest markets in the world in close cooperation with supportive international partners.»

Viktor Vekselberg, President of the SKOLKOVO Foundation, said:

«Robotic surgery will become one of the main areas of growth in medicine’s hi-tech sector in the next decade. Experts predict that by 2021, that sector will be worth more than $20 billion. At Skolkovo, we have for several years been supporting disruptive projects by Russian engineers and doctors, and those projects have every chance of becoming leaders in this field. We plan for Skolkovo to provide up to 150 million rubles ($2.3 million) in grant financing for the Russian-Chinese centre for medical robots.»