Empowering Smart Healthcare with Innovation: Seminar on New Trends in Surgical Robotics cum Cornerstone Robotics and CU Medicine MOU Signing Ceremony
Cornerstone Robotics and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)’s Faculty of Medicine (CU Medicine) co-hosted a seminar “Empowering Smart Healthcare with Innovation – New Trends in Surgical Robotics” today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The seminar brought together industry experts to discuss the latest developments in the integration of artificial intelligence, medical research, and mechatronics, including the industrial development of surgical robots and new models for treatment options and surgeon training. Opening remarks were delivered by the guests of honour, including Mr. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong government; Professor Samuel Au, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics; and Professor Philip Chiu, Dean of CU Medicine.
Cornerstone Robotics and CU Medicine also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the event, witnessed by Mr. Paul Chan, Financial Secretary; Professor Arthur Li, non-official member of the Executive Council; Ms. Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Professor John Chai, Chairman of CUHK Council; Mr. Henry Fan, Chairman of the Hospital Authority; Ms. Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited and other distinguished guests.
According to the MOU, both parties will engage in in-depth collaboration on the surgical robot system education and research platform, promoting projects related to training, teaching, clinical applications, and the translation of subsequent research. They will also introduce the latest surgical robot systems and technologies to CUHK’s teaching hospitals, providing top-tier robotic application tools for medical training and clinical practice. This initiative aims to help surgeons become more familiar with the operations, enabling them to better utilise their techniques.
Mr. Paul Chan delivers the opening speech at the seminar.
The Financial Secretary, Mr. Paul Chan, said: "Close collaboration among the Government and the industry, academia, research and investment sectors is crucial for developing innovation and technology (I&T). I am pleased to see that a local startup is actively using technology to enhance and innovate medical services. They are leveraging Hong Kong's strengths in research, and the manufacturing capabilities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to master the entire supply chain for the manufacturing of surgical robots.
I am also encouraged that the startup will collaborate with the Faculty of Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong to strengthen research partnerships and talent training. This will help advance Hong Kong as an international I&T center as well as an international health and medical innovation hub. In the field of I&T, I look forward to more cross-sector collaborations in the future as we seize the new opportunities presented by the era of artificial intelligence to develop innovative products and services, thereby empowering economic growth."
Professor Samuel Au, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics, stated: "As a local startup, we are committed to independent R&D and local clinical trials. By combining the high-end manufacturing and new developments in artificial intelligence from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, Cornerstone Robotics has successfully created the Sentire® surgical robot, which has been certified by the National Medical Products Administration of China and is now officially available for clinical use in both mainland and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong has advantages as an international city, having most advanced research, and high-quality healthcare, along with strong support from the SAR government, are conducive to the translation of research results and the industrial development of surgical robots. We hope to make a greater contribution to the development of smart healthcare in Hong Kong through the application of training guided by AI technology."
School students try out the surgical robots.
Professor Philip Chiu, Dean of CU Medicine, remarked: “The Faculty received the HKSAR Government’s InnoHK funding support and established the Multi-scale Medical Robotics Center in 2020. Since August 2022, we had been collaborating with Cornerstone Robotics to conduct clinical trials on the Sentire Surgical Robot in Prince of Wales Hospital, and a total of 55 operations covering multiple disciplines such as colorectal, urological, and gastrointestinal surgeries were all completed very smoothly, providing important clinical data for the Sentire robot to be certified by the National Medical Products Administration. Looking ahead, we envision that surgical robots will provide significant assistance to future physicians. Therefore, it is important to introduce and strengthen relevant medical training so that the next-generation doctors will be able to better master these technologies. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, we also hope to accelerate the development of Cornerstone Robotics’ next-generation surgical robots, remote tele-surgical and telementoring technologies. Through the web-connected Sentire Robotic Surgical System, our surgical professors will be able to remotely instruct and assist in the operation of complex robotic surgeries, enabling safe and high quality surgical treatments for better care of all patients. These common missions have brought us to work closely with Cornerstone Robotics on the fronts of R&D and talent training, with the ultimate goal of sharing the benefits of Hong Kong's medical innovations with patients around the world.”
The seminar featured displays showcasing the evolution of surgical equipment and instruments, along with high-end surgical robots and operating systems. Dozens of secondary school students in attendance had the opportunity to try out the surgical robots in person.
The seminar has invited experts from the fields of "investment," "industry," "academia," and "research" to share their insights on how to leverage professional knowledge and innovative technology to cultivate new productive forces and enhance industrial efficiency.
The event brought together leaders, scholars, industry professionals, investors, and healthcare practitioners from the medical and innovation sectors. Many attendees noted that the world is currently undergoing an unprecedented phase of rapid change. Within the context of national development, Hong Kong is positioned as an international financial center and a hub for innovation technology, while also benefiting from the advantages of the Greater Bay Area. To accelerate the development of new productive forces and promote high-quality development, it is essential to rely on the deep integration of technological innovation, industrial application, and talent training.
(Front row, from left) Professor Simon Ng, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at CU Medicine; Professor Michael Li, Director of Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery Development at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital; Professor Philip Chiu, Dean of CU Medicine; Mr Henry Fan, Chairman of the Hospital Authority; Ms Lillian Cheong, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong government; Professor Arthur Li, ExCo non-official member; Mr Paul Chan, The Financial Secretary; Professor John Chai, Chairman of CUHK Council; Ms Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; Professor Sham Mai-har, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research) of CUHK; Mr Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; Professor Samuel Au, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics; Dr Chung Kin-lai, Cluster Chief Executive of New Territories East Cluster, Hospital Authority.
(Back row, from left) Dr Jerry Wang, Co-Founder, CTO & COO of Cornerstone Robotics; Professor Ng Chi-fai from the Department of Surgery at CU Medicine; Dr Frank Chan, Hospital Chief Executive of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital; Dr Joe Fan, Director of Cluster Services of the Hospital Authority; Dr Wendy Hong, Legislative Council member; Ms Eunice Yung, Legislative Council member; Mr Shang Hailong, Legislative Council member; Dr Fung Hong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CUHK Medical Centre, Dr Lee Tsz-leung, Hospital Chief Executive of Hong Kong Children's Hospital; Professor Allen Chan, Associate Dean of CU Medicine; Dr Alexis Cheng, Co-Founder & Vice President of Operation & Business Strategy of Cornerstone Robotics.
