On the 29th of June, Mr. Paul Chan, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR Government, along with Mr. Albert Wong, the Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, paid a visit to Cornerstone Robotics, a company at the forefront of surgical robot research and innovation. They were accompanied by a group of high school students who have a keen interest in technological innovation. The visitors were cordially welcomed by Professor Philip Chiu Wai Yan, Dean of CUHK Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Alexis Cheng, the co-founder of Cornerstone Robotics, and his dedicated team.

The Cornerstone Robotics team, along with Professor Philip Chiu Wai Yan, Dean of the CUHK Faculty of Medicine, provided the visitors with an in-depth overview of the groundbreaking accomplishments of Cornerstone Robotics’ surgical robots. They also sparked a lively discussion about Hong Kong’s investment strategies and the prospective trajectory in the field of medical surgical robotics. This conversation stirred up considerable enthusiasm among the students present.

Throughout the visit, the students had the opportunity to handle the surgical robotic system developed by Cornerstone Robotics and gain insights into its fundamental technical principles. This hands-on experience broadened their comprehension of contemporary medical technology and fueled their limitless imagination for its potential advancements.

The Sentire Endoscopic Surgical Robotic System, an original innovation by Cornerstone Robotics, has garnered substantial backing from surgical specialists and professors across various disciplines at the CUHK Faculty of Medicine. These clinical experts collaborate closely with the team at Cornerstone Robotics to perpetually refine the robot’s functional design and user experience, enabling technological advancements to more effectively cater to clinical requirements and enhance the safety, efficacy, and patient experience of minimally invasive procedures. The experts, hailing from diverse fields such as rectal surgery, urology, and gastrointestinal surgery, have contributed invaluable clinical insights during the multidisciplinary clinical trials of Cornerstone Robotics’ surgical robotic system. Since August 2022, the Sentire Endoscopic Surgical Robotic System has been undergoing clinical research at the Prince of Wales Hospital, successfully completing numerous surgeries across multiple specialties including colorectal surgery, urology, and gastrointestinal surgery. The overall clinical trial process has been progressing exceptionally well. 

Surgical robots are often referred to as the pinnacle of the robotics industry and stand as the leading exemplars of contemporary minimally invasive surgical technology. The founding principle of Cornerstone Robotics was to lay the foundation for surgical robot industry, with a focus on developing surgical robots that are safer, more efficient, user-friendly, and accessible. Cornerstone Robotics is of the view that through the organization of such visits and demonstrations, students are able to experience the captivating allure of innovative technology, inspiring them to become the driving force behind future technological exploration and the application of medical innovation.