Essex students to showcase robotic surgery device on world stage

A pioneering robotic surgery system which will help to make life-saving procedures safer for both patients and surgeons is set to be displayed on the world stage.

The system, which uses a robotic arm, magnets and a guidewire to carry out delicate procedures inside blood vessels, will be showcased at the 2026 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers International Conference on Cyborg and Bionic Systems in Germany.

A paper outlining how the system operates, written by Essex students, Ane Jensen and Muhammad Fuad Farooqi, has been accepted for presentation at the conference, which brings together industry leaders and researchers at the forefront of bionic breakthroughs.

The technology combines robotics, magnetic guidance and touch-based feedback to help surgeons perform delicate procedures such as removing blood clots of widening arteries.

Instead of standing next to the patient and being exposed to X-rays, surgeons can control a robotic arm remotely using a handheld device.

The robot copies every movement while providing feedback that helps the surgeon steer safely through the body's complex network of blood vessels.

Magnetic guidance gives even greater control of the guidewire, making it easier to reach difficult areas.

Tests showed the system improved navigation and could help make minimally invasive surgery safer and more effective.

PhD student Fuad, who has been awarded an IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Member Support Program Travel Grant worth US$1,500 to present his paper, said: “Being part of the RUMI Lab and seeing this project grow from Ane's original idea into a published, internationally recognised paper has been an incredible experience.

“Receiving IEEE RAS's travel award and the opportunity to present our work at IEEE CBS 2026 is a huge honour."

BE Mechatronics, Robotics and Automation Engineering graduate Ane added: “I am very grateful to Dr. Hoshiar for the trust he showed me by allowing me to do my capstone project experimentally in his lab, and for all the support he and the lab team gave me along the way.

“I am also very grateful to Fuad for further developing the system, and writing this paper together. "

The research was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and carried out in collaboration with clinicians from East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Ali Kafash Hoshiar, head of the Robotics for Under Millimetre Interventions (RUMI) Lab at Essex, said: "Congratulations to Fuad on receiving this award and to Ane, whose undergraduate project grew into this publication. It is wonderful to see their work recognised on the international stage.

"Having this paper accepted for CBS 2026 and receiving this IEEE Robotics and Automation Society travel award is fantastic recognition for the whole team.

"Our goal is to develop technologies that improve both patient care and the working environment for clinicians. By combining robotics, haptics and magnetic steering, we are creating a system that has the potential to make complex endovascular procedures safer and more intuitive.

"I am particularly pleased to see the work of our early-career researchers recognised through this award."

The conference takes place in Munich between 6 and 8 September.