Three Aspects of Medical Robot Development in China

Industry insiders believe that currently, the global robotics market is primarily dominated by industrial robots, which account for 80% of the market share. In the future, the industry scale of service robots may surpass that of industrial robots, becoming a new blue ocean. At the 6th China International Robotics Summit Forum’s service robot sub-forum, Du Zhijiang, Deputy Director of the Robotics Institute at Harbin Institute of Technology, delivered a keynote speech on the development of medical robots in China. Director Du elaborated on the development of medical robots in China from three aspects. The following is a整理 of the speech materials:

First, let’s introduce the development and opportunities of medical robots. In recent years, medical robots have attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally, including in the UK, where there is also a push to accelerate the research and application of medical robots, indicating the importance placed on this field.

It should be said that medical robots are one of the most important aspects of the global robotics industry. Why are they so highly valued? In 2014, the output value of the main body was around 10 billion US dollars, and in the same year, the American surgical company producing the Da Vinci system generated over 2.1 billion US dollars in revenue. Currently, the average sales of Da Vinci robots in the domestic market is around 20 million RMB per unit. A robot weighing over ten to twenty kilograms costs 200,000 RMB, meaning that selling one medical robot is equivalent to selling 100 ordinary robots.

Since the country has emphasized the importance of robots, many policies have been introduced, which everyone is familiar with. Regardless of the policy, there are important layouts regarding the application of robots, including the layout for medical robots in China Manufacturing 2025. This year, the “13th Five-Year Plan” for the robotics industry was released, which includes surgical robots. This is a national layout aspect. Additionally, in specific national project guidelines, one can also see the emphasis on medical robots, including the recently released 2017 project policy guidelines. Currently, many teams in the country are organizing applications, which also indicates the national importance placed on medical robots. The same applies to the service robot field, where there is also good layout for medical robots.

Now is the best time for medical robots, as both domestic and international technological reserves have reached a certain level. Furthermore, the expectations of the mechanical market for the future are significant.

Second, let’s briefly review the current state of the medical robot industry.

First, let’s analyze what medical robots are. Many present are experts, including many in the service robot field, and many old friends are familiar with this. Medical robots, according to the ISOTC184 robotics standard terminology definition, have a very broad definition, assisting doctors in their work and extending their capabilities. They are significantly different from general social service robots, as they assist in medical work and must be safe and reliable. In other words, regardless of how simple the medical machinery is, the four words: safe and effective, must be met. Every medical robot must undergo national ISO certification from a safety perspective.

In recent years, with technological advancements, there has been a greater emphasis on intelligence. Currently, international standards are increasingly focused on the intelligence of medical machinery, although this point is controversial. The more intelligent the system, the less intervention is required from doctors, which poses certain risks.

The classification of medical robots is quite complex. Currently, they can be roughly divided into several categories: one is surgical robots, which assist doctors in performing surgeries, represented by the Da Vinci system. The second category is rehabilitation robots, including those for elderly and disabled assistance. The third category is non-treatment robots used in hospitals, which include ordinary robots and dispensing robots that assist in medication dispensing to reduce the burden. Currently, in hospitals, they assist nurses in guiding patients. Another category is mechanized equipment, which is a type of therapeutic machinery but differs from surgical robots.

In the field of medical robots, the highest proportion is currently held by Intuitive Surgical’s surgical robots, which, together with several other surgical robots, account for over 60% of the global market. The second is radioactive surgical robot systems, which account for 20% due to their higher prices. Thirdly, emergency robots, exoskeleton robots, and assistive rehabilitation robots have a wide variety of products, but there are not many products available in the market. At a recent international medical robotics forum, it was mentioned that sales are sluggish, primarily due to high prices. This area is currently challenging for market expansion, with several foreign companies also operating at a loss.

This year, the American Business Review published a list of the 50 most influential companies globally, with three Chinese companies making the list. This ranking is not very professional, and some professionals do not fully recognize it, as there are many other factors influencing the ranking. However, several major medical robotics companies are included, and their rankings are relatively high, indicating their status in the field of medical robots.

Professionally speaking, the leading companies are several American firms. Currently, there are over 30 American companies, and along with European companies, they essentially monopolize the global market. No Chinese company is recognized in this field. Many technology reserves have been acquired or merged by American companies, or they have gone public in the U.S. and then promoted globally, which also indicates the deficiency of Chinese companies in the medical robot sector.

After Google’s IPO, Wall Street conducted a survey to find out how many companies could surpass Google, discovering only 13 companies, including Intuitive Surgical. The success of the Da Vinci surgical system showcases technological advancements that have improved the way doctors perform surgeries. It essentially extends the doctor’s hands into the abdomen for surgery and allows for a tenfold magnification during procedures, which is quite impressive. This has solved many of the challenges associated with traditional laparoscopic surgeries. According to statistics, the first 80 cases were experimental, so it is advised not to choose inexperienced doctors for laparoscopic surgeries, as the first 100 cases are experimental.

In 2009, at a conference, two-thirds of the attendees were doctors discussing how to use the Da Vinci system for surgeries, similar to how Chinese doctors are currently very interested in this technology. If you do not mention robotic surgery at such conferences, your report may not be considered very exciting. However, due to national protection policies, the Da Vinci system is still imported, and currently, over 50 units have been installed, with the market not fully opened yet.

From surgical volume, it can be seen that by December 2015, the total number of surgeries nationwide exceeded 20,000, with 11,445 of those performed that year, largely due to the high patient volume in China, resulting in surgeries occurring almost daily.

I have always believed that Stanford is the holy land for robotics research, where many world-first original creations have emerged. The Da Vinci product was discovered for its value in 1994, and the assistant director persistently advocated for its professional development. However, from 2000 to 2003, the company faced losses. I first encountered this system in 2001 and discussed with Intuitive Surgical about finding an agent in China, which was not feasible at the time. Domestic doctors were just beginning to engage in laparoscopic surgeries, and I suggested several companies, but there was little interest. After 2004, the company began to turn a profit, and the profits were still very high, maintaining a leading position globally.

First, everyone knows that the robotics industry is capital-intensive, and immediate results may not be visible. Currently, with such a large output value, the company invests 8% of its revenue annually in R&D, employing over 300 specialized R&D personnel. Additionally, many doctors are continuously discussing technological breakthroughs.

Furthermore, there is a patent pool.

Thirdly, the successful razor-and-blade model.

Fourth, the entire market model, as in 2013, the company acquired another American firm through various commercial means. Currently, if any emerging company poses a threat, they will employ various methods to acquire it.

Third, I will discuss my experiences over the years. It is easier said than done to find like-minded doctors; this is definitely not a project or two, nor can it be achieved in a year or two. It requires a ten or eight-year period of mutual understanding. There must be a true integration of medicine and engineering. To achieve this integration, as most participants are from engineering backgrounds, there needs to be a certain understanding of the medical field. Globally, related research is ongoing, and many are seeking breakthroughs in the market, but it remains quite challenging for everyone.

We carefully analyzed that the Da Vinci system is a typical master-slave robotic system, a relatively simple system. Many successful commercial systems exist from the master end to the slave end, not just experimental systems. There are many usable components at the master end. From the slave end, there are several points to analyze. This system has already been acquired by Americans and has received EU certification.

If there are issues with the surgical system, or if the patient is an exception during the surgery, such as having different blood vessels, and an emergency arises, the doctor must perform an open surgery, which is safer. However, if such a system is placed at the bedside, it is challenging to remove it. Additionally, there are many necessary pieces of equipment in the operating room, and sometimes there isn’t even enough space to stand. These are many influencing factors.

Next is my analysis, as there are many doctors, including many authoritative figures in this field, who run around discussing repeatedly what might be most suitable, while other less experienced doctors and assistants stand aside. Synchronization with ventilators and other machines is crucial. This is quite convenient during the application process. Furthermore, when changing stations in the operating room, positioning becomes much easier. For hospitals, purchasing multiple units is unrealistic; acquiring one unit that can perform multiple surgeries is more feasible.

The world is constantly pursuing technological innovation, and apart from typical systems, many new and various technologies are emerging. We have also done some work, as the Da Vinci system, with its large mechanical arm, allows the doctor to move and perform surgery. This system is currently undergoing clinical trials. This experiment is very convenient, and the assembly is also straightforward, allowing the doctor to become an automated machine to perform surgeries, which maintains the dexterity of the robotic end. Furthermore, with a 3D setup, surgeries can be performed effectively. There are, of course, some issues encountered along the way, which we have focused on addressing over the past few years.

Laparoscopic surgery has evolved from open surgery to single-port surgery, but so far, very few doctors can perform it, as it is quite challenging. Currently, robots are being used to solve this issue. Research is ongoing with the large Da Vinci machine, and one machine has already received certification. I am also conducting related research, but I won’t go into detail.

These studies must be closely aligned with clinical needs, as clinical demands are the main driving force behind our research.

We must focus on developing standards and engaging relevant authorities. When we first started our research, it was like blind men touching an elephant, proceeding wherever it led. We must adhere to medical machinery standards and the standards for medical robots. Everyone must have a good understanding of medical robots, or else they will take many detours. If you apply ordinary industrial robot methods, it will not pass.

I am also involved in international robotics standard work and am one of the experts in international robotics standards. Currently, in the field of medical robots globally, several major medical companies are involved, including internationally renowned robotics companies, and this standard is debated daily. We established a standard in 2013, and in 2014, we formally established a committee. Later, we found that using industrial machinery standards did not work for medical machinery. There is a dedicated department for medical machinery, which is a formally recognized national management department, with whom we are collaborating to establish a medical standard, which was officially established in 2016, and we are currently carrying out related work.

Finally, regarding technology, talent, capital, and relevant policies. This is also a common topic, as the technical threshold for medical robots is very high. To be blunt, medical robots, especially surgical robots, are much more challenging than industrial robots, with several levels of difficulty difference. This is because it involves too much medical knowledge and knowledge of medical machinery, making it quite difficult. Everyone knows that medical machinery is a high-profit industry, and there are many medical talents who have experienced various challenges in this field, and we are genuinely lacking talent in this area.

The research cycle is long, with international consensus being 6 to 10 years, involving large investments and significant risks, and requiring sustained investment.

Let me introduce the related work we are doing. This year, Harbin Institute of Technology has partnered with the Suzhou High-tech Zone government to establish a medical robot research institute, which operates on three levels: one is a public service and management platform funded by the government, providing professional services for those genuinely interested in conducting research in this area, including helping recruit talent, setting standards, and even providing facilities and other aspects.

The second aspect is product R&D and achievement transformation, with angel investment funds available. We hope that those interested, including those from the capital sector, can participate in making this endeavor successful, as the medical robot field in China is just beginning. I have been involved for 16 years, which is still far from enough, and there remains a significant gap with foreign countries. I hope everyone can participate and help develop the Chinese medical robot market.

For more exciting content, please click

Prepared and ready, swimming against the current

Tang Xiaoping: Towards the Next Generation Servo System for Intelligent Robots

Service robots accelerate popularization, and local brand advantages will become prominent

Robots appear again in shopping malls, aiming to upgrade consumer experience

Long press the QR code to follow the public platform

Submission email: [email protected]

Accepted manuscripts will receive rewards!

Related posts

Leave a Comment Cancel reply