POSTED: 16 Apr, 2025

 

Researchers from the Australian Cobotics Centre, based at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), have recently concluded a collaborative project with leading medical technology company Stryker. The project focused on enhancing the adoption and operational efficiency of Stryker’s Mako robotic arm system—the most widely used orthopaedic robotic surgical platform globally.

Led by Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Alan Burden, the research explored opportunities to expand the Mako system’s use beyond its current applications. While orthopaedic surgical robots like Mako have demonstrated improved implant accuracy and better patient outcomes, their use remains limited to a small number of procedure types.

This project aimed to address that gap by identifying workflow enhancements and multi-specialty applications that could help hospitals integrate robotic surgery more seamlessly into their day-to-day operations. By doing so, the team worked to improve hospital efficiency, increase theatre utilisation, and better highlight the financial and operational value of robotic technology.

Ultimately, the goal is to drive broader adoption of Mako and make robotic surgery more accessible across a wider range of procedures and healthcare settings.

👉 Read more about the project outcomes and next steps