# Axel Krieger | Autonomous Robotics in the Medical Device Field

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-03-25
- Length: 31m
- Episode: 12
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics/

## Summary

Axel Krieger, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, discusses the development of the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR), which performs autonomous keyhole bowel surgery (anastomosis) with superior consistency to human surgeons. The system uses supervised autonomy, infrared markers, and a custom structured light 3D camera to plan and execute sutures on bowel tissue, demonstrating results in preclinical animal studies. Krieger explains how STAR differs from the teleoperated Da Vinci robot by offering high autonomy for specific tasks, with commercialization handled through licensing to Active Surgical and potential future startups. The conversation covers the technical challenges of tissue deformation, vision systems, and the translational path from academic research to clinical application.

## Chapters

- [0:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=31) Introduction: Axel Krieger and Johns Hopkins University
- [1:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=67) Krieger's Background and Engineering Career Path
- [3:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=215) The STAR Robot and Autonomous Anastomosis
- [9:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=560) Vision Systems, Infrared Markers, and Tissue Tracking
- [13:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=811) Custom 3D Camera Development vs. Commercial Solutions
- [15:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=937) STAR vs. Da Vinci: Autonomy vs. Teleoperation
- [18:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=1099) Commercialization, Licensing, and Active Surgical
- [26:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field#t=1583) The Reward of Medical Device Engineering

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (product)
- STAR (product)
- Johns Hopkins University (company)
- Da Vinci robot (product)
- Active Surgical (company)
- Children's National Hospital (company)
- Rate Tricks (company)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode Fifty: Elena De Momi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-05-26-episode-fifty-elena-de-momi) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 162: The robot doctor will see you now - Robot Talk Live](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-26-episode-162-the-robot-doctor-will-see-you-now-robot-talk-live) (Robot Talk)
- [Amazon Astro underwhelms robotics community; Vicarious Surgical CEO Adam Sachs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-09-30-amazon-astro-underwhelms-robotics-community-vicarious-surgical-ceo-adam-sachs) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode Thirty-Three: Dan Stoyanov](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-20-episode-thirty-three-dan-stoyanov) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 101: Microscopic surgical robots - Christos Bergeles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-12-06-episode-101-microscopic-surgical-robots-christos-bergeles) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

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