A team of doctors and engineers from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, successfully conducted real-time ultrasound scans on volunteers located at India’s Maitri station in Antarctica using an advanced telerobotic ultrasound system.
This technology demonstration was led by Dr Chandrashekhara SH, professor in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, IRCH, and was conducted on the AIIMS Research Day 2026 on Friday.
It showcased how clinicians in New Delhi can remotely operate a robotic arm equipped with an ultrasound probe to perform live diagnostic scans on individuals thousands of kilometres away.
The system streams ultrasound images back to the doctor in the capital, allowing expert radiological assessment despite extreme geographical separation.
Developed jointly by AIIMS and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) in 2022, the technology enables a clinician to control the position and movement of the ultrasound probe via a robotic arm.
This collaboration also involves the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), and Rajiv Gandhi Superspeciality Hospital (RGSSH).
Professor Subir Kumar Saha of IIT Delhi and project director at IHFC played a central role in refining the robotic system to ensure precise control, operational robustness and reliable remote functioning—features crucial for use in isolated and harsh environments. Young researchers Udayan Banerjee and Siddharth Gupta were instrumental in the installation and technical groundwork that brought the system into operational use.
The concept of deploying the technology at India’s Antarctic stations was driven by medical professionals familiar with the challenges of healthcare delivery in remote polar conditions, where extreme cold, isolation and limited infrastructure complicate emergency responses. In situations involving trauma, severe pain or suspected internal injury, rapid diagnostic clarity can directly influence decisions on treatment or medical evacuation.
Healthcare experts involved in the project highlight that telerobotic ultrasound could dramatically reduce diagnostic uncertainty in Antarctica and has potential applications in disaster zones, high-altitude regions, remote rural areas and offshore installations where access to specialist care is limited.
