# Episode 88: Robotic surgery - Lord Ara Darzi

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2024-06-07
- Length: 15m
- Episode: 88
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-eighty-eight-lord-ara-darzi

## Summary

Lord Ara Darzi, Co-Director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, discusses the evolution of robotic surgery from the UK's first 2000 da Vinci-assisted procedure to current innovations. He explains how robotics improved upon laparoscopic deficits by providing 3D stereo imaging and intuitive instrument movement, while highlighting the integration of AI and machine learning for precise navigation and tissue analysis. Darzi also addresses the slow adoption of medical technology in healthcare, detailing his role as Chair of the NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative in driving value-based diffusion of innovations like stroke pathways.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=8) Introduction: Lord Ara Darzi and the history of robotic surgery
- [2:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=158) The first UK robot-assisted surgery and the transition from laparoscopy
- [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=260) Training requirements and the intuitive nature of robotic instruments
- [5:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=357) Incremental innovations and the convergence science at the Hamlyn Center
- [8:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=484) Integrating AI and machine learning for diagnosis and surgical guidance
- [9:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=591) The NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative and technology adoption challenges
- [12:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi#t=747) Future milestones: smaller robots, automation, and auto-navigation

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- da Vinci (product)
- Imperial College London (company)
- Hamlyn Center (company)
- Deep Mind (company)
- NHS Accelerated Access Collaborative (company)
- MHRA (other)
- nice (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [12: You Have a Jedi Sword](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-07-31-12-you-have-a-jedi-sword) (Embedded.fm)
- [Amazon’s security drone, life-size Gundam & robotic-assisted surgery](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2020-09-30-amazons-security-drone-life-size-gundam-robotic-assisted-surgery) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Axel Krieger | Autonomous Robotics in the Medical Device Field](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-03-25-axel-krieger-autonomous-robotics-in-the-medical-device-field) (Being an Engineer)
- [Performance-Guided Surgery:  Robots in the operating room](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-09-19-performance-guided-surgery-robots-in-the-operating-room) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [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)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-06-07-episode-88-robotic-surgery-lord-ara-darzi. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Robot Talk.