Science and Technology Minister Dr Jitendra Singh stated today that the domestically developed Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography (TUS) system represents a major step in extending specialized healthcare beyond traditional settings. Dr. Singh was addressing the media after witnessing a live demonstration of the system that linked the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi with India's Maitri Research Station in Antarctica.
Dr. Singh explained that the tele-robotic system, developed jointly by AIIMS and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in collaboration with the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, utilizes a robotic arm with an ultrasound probe that precisely replicates a sonographer's movements with minimal delay. He noted that the system provides diagnostically reliable imaging and can be used to assess abdominal organs, cardiac functions, and trauma situations.
He further stated that this innovation exemplifies the convergence of AI, robotics, and real-time clinical expertise, with wide potential applications. He also added that the system can be used from polar research stations and disaster zones to border outposts and rural health centers, where access to specialist medical services is limited. The Union Minister concluded that TUS can help bridge healthcare gaps across geography, reduce the need for emergency evacuations, and improve timely medical decision-making.