DGIST SURG Lab researchers aim for sub-millimeter precision in surgical robotics

Researchers at DGIST SURG Lab are developing surgical robot technology capable of microscopic manipulations on the scale of hundreds of micrometers. The team recently won first place in a competition for their award-winning robot, RBY1, which is currently undergoing experiments for humanoid surgical tasks.

The performance of a surgical robot depends not on the range of its arm's movement, but on how precisely it can control the final few millimeters. Because minute differences in movement are directly linked to patient safety, researchers at DGIST SURG Lab are undertaking challenges to implement extreme precision that allows for less than 1mm of error, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The precision of the 'End Effector' determines surgical safety

The core technology being focused on by the SURG Lab researchers is the 'End Effector,' the tip of the robot arm. The researchers study precision manipulation technology using AI so that the robot can judge situations and perform actions autonomously. Moving beyond simply moving an arm, they aim for microscopic manipulations on the scale of hundreds of micrometers (μm).

The research process is organically connected from design to production and verification. To confirm whether values calculated as numbers on a screen work in reality, the researchers utilize 3D printers within the lab. They print parts they have designed themselves and test them immediately to reduce errors. In particular, the accuracy of the camera, which acts as the 'eyes' of the surgical robot, is also a key element. The camera calculates positions and helps the robot move surgical tools accurately.

The researchers also work on converting surgical movements performed by doctors into data that robots can learn. This is a fundamental step for surgical automation, a process of processing a doctor's movements into data that a robot can use more effectively.

Surgical needle handling: A battle of less than 1mm

One of the major projects currently underway in the lab is technology for handling surgical needles. While it may appear to be a simple motion of picking up and moving a block, in an actual surgical environment, it is a high-difficulty task that simulates the motion of grasping and lifting tissue. The actions of grasping a needle or threading a suture are precise domains where even an error of less than 1mm is not permitted.

Thanks to this high level of precision, the researchers recently took first place in a competition related to automatic reciprocating motion. This is the result of researching robot movement standards at a much higher level than general industrial sites or daily life. The award-winning robot, RBY1, is currently equipped with surgical tools and a camera and is continuing experiments for humanoid surgical tasks while learning new movements.

"Innovation is pioneering areas humans cannot reach"

The daily life of the researchers is a continuous series of repeated experiments and data verification. It is routine for them to arrive at work at 9:00 AM and devote themselves to research until 10:00 PM. The reason they are so obsessed with such minute movements is that the goal of the technology lies with 'humans.' The researchers believe that true innovation occurs when robots go beyond simply replacing human work and perform areas that humans cannot.

One researcher explained the reason for choosing the field of surgical robotics, stating, "It would be very meaningful if we could implement ways that help save human lives." Another researcher said their goal is to complete tasks that are difficult or impossible for humans to perform through robot technology with precision similar to that of a human. The process of making the fingertips of a robot precise is ultimately connected to looking deeply into the capabilities of the human hand and contemplating how robots can assist and complement humans.

Source: original video (YouTube)