Intelligent Robotic Assistance in Precision Surgery: Vision, Automation, and Human-Robot Collaboration

Surgical robotics has revolutionized modern medicine, enhancing precision, safety, and efficiency in complex procedures. However, many surgical fields, including ophthalmology, continue to rely heavily on manual techniques, demanding exceptional dexterity, coordination, and sustained focus from surgeons. The next frontier in robotic surgery lies in intelligent systems that integrate real-time perception, automation, and human-robot collaboration to enhance surgical outcomes while reducing surgeon workload. This talk presents an overview of our research on intelligent robotic assistance for precision surgery, with a focus on vision-based robotic systems for ophthalmic and microsurgical procedures. One of our key innovations is an intelligent vision-based robotic-assisted system for vitreoretinal surgery, which enhances intraoperative safety through real-time scene understanding, automates surgical lighting to improve visualization, and records surgical actions for skill assessment and training. Beyond ophthalmology, our work extends to developing AI-driven robotic systems for other surgical applications, enabling autonomous assistance in delicate operations where precision and real-time decision-making are critical. By integrating computer vision, machine learning, and robotic automation, our research aims to push the boundaries of robotic surgery, making procedures safer, more efficient, and accessible to a broader range of surgeons. This talk will explore the challenges and breakthroughs in intelligent surgical robotics, the role of AI in enhancing human dexterity, and the future of robotic-assisted surgery in various medical domains.