International UK-RAS Network Surgical Robot Challenge Opens for 2022
The annual international competition aims to showcase the latest innovative and technological advancements in surgical robotics.
The EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Network was established in March 2015 with the mission to provide academic leadership in RAS, expand collaboration with industry and integrate and coordinate activities with various partners across the UK.
The network runs an annual competition to showcase innovative new ideas across a range of surgical robot platforms. Applications are not restricted to a particular focus area, but they should demonstrate innovation, application and design in how robots can improve procedures leading to quicker recovery, smaller scars, less blood loss, less pain, earlier return to work and less stay in hospital.
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
- Best Application
- Best Innovation
- Best Design
There should be at least some newly developed aspect to an entry, but it can be based on an existing idea. Submissions should ideally take the form of final working prototypes, but the judging panel will also consider designs and plans.
Applications are invited from institutions around the world. Applicants must be associated with an academic organisation. Applications from industry will be accepted but they must be in partnership with an academic institution.
The prize fund available is £15,000.
Applications should be submitted by the 30 April 2022 (23:59 BST) deadline.
(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)