Aetheris — Humanoid Surgical Robot Assistant

Overview

Aetheris is India’s first and only humanoid robot specifically conceptualized, developed, and trained for surgical assistance — a groundbreaking advancement in the history of Indian medtech innovation. Designed to operate seamlessly in high-precision and high-stakes environments, Aetheris integrates advanced humanoid robotics, artificial intelligence, and surgical workflow compatibility into a unified system that acts as a tireless, highly precise, and adaptive surgical partner. The project embodies the vision of transforming operating theatres into technology-augmented environments where surgeons have unprecedented precision and efficiency at their fingertips. Aetheris is not just a robotic assistant — it is a platform for redefining the limits of what engineering and medical science can achieve together. From holding and passing delicate surgical instruments to performing micro-positioning tasks with millimeter-level accuracy, it is engineered to work in harmony with human surgeons across multiple disciplines, from general surgery to neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures.

Clinical Problem

Modern surgical teams often require multiple human assistants to handle retractors, manage instruments, adjust camera angles, and ensure that all necessary tools are at the surgeon’s disposal at the right time. This heavy reliance on human intervention introduces variability — including fatigue, inconsistencies in skill levels, and communication delays — which can impact the efficiency and precision of surgical workflows. Moreover, the absence of predictive assistance can lead to minor yet cumulative disruptions in the operating theatre, such as delayed instrument handovers or imperfect visualization. These seemingly small inefficiencies can extend procedure time, increase surgeon fatigue, and, in some cases, affect overall surgical outcomes. In high-stakes procedures, even slight deviations in timing or accuracy can influence patient safety and recovery. The problem is not just about availability of help; it is about ensuring consistency, precision, and anticipatory support — every single time.

Methodology

1. Aetheris’s development combines hardware engineering, software intelligence, and human-centered design to create a safe, reliable, and efficient surgical assistant. The core system is built on a ROS2-based motion control framework that enables synchronized multi-axis control and smooth trajectory planning for complex tasks. To guarantee safe operation in the operating room, Aetheris features force-limiting and collision detection modules that continuously monitor interactions and halt or modulate motion when necessary. On the perception side, deep-learning–based computer vision enables the robot to recognize surgical instruments in real time and understand their context of use. This is paired with a predictive decision module that analyzes ongoing workflow patterns to anticipate the surgeon’s next requirement. The full system is iteratively trained and validated in a high-fidelity simulated operating-theatre environment. These simulated loops are used to refine timing, ergonomics, and behavior under variable scenarios — ensuring that Aetheris integrates smoothly with human teams and can operate efficiently without interrupting the surgical flow.

Tech Stack

Equipment

Expected Outcomes

Advanced R&D in simulated OTs. Next milestones: predictive AI refinement, reliability testing and partner demonstrations.