AIIMS Delhi Telerobotic Ultrasound in Antarctica

At AIIMS Research Day 2026, S. H. Chandrashekhara of India===All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, demonstrated a telerobotic ultrasound system that allows doctors in New Delhi to perform real-time diagnostic ultrasound scans on volunteers in Antarctica. Co-developed by India===Indian Institutes of Technology and India===All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the system uses a remotely controlled robotic arm to position an ultrasound probe, streaming images back to the clinician. This project, a collaboration involving I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics, India===National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and India===Rajiv Gandhi Superspeciality Hospital, addresses the extraordinary challenges of healthcare delivery in isolated regions. Subir Kumar Saha was instrumental in refining the system, while Vikas Dogra envisioned its deployment in Antarctica. The technology has successfully performed various scans and holds potential for use in disaster zones, high-altitude regions, offshore platforms, and underserved rural areas, aiming to provide equitable, expert healthcare globally.