MRC CUHK

Established in April 2020 through the Hong Kong Government’s InnoHK initiative, the Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC) operates as a translational research platform bridging medical innovation and robotics technology. Co-directed by Professor Philip Chiu from the Faculty of Medicine and Professor Samuel Au from the Faculty of Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), MRC focuses on developing surgical robotic technologies across multiple scales—from conventional surgical robots to micro- and nanorobotic systems.

Institution Overview

MRC represents a collaborative effort between CUHK and four world-renowned institutions: ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Imperial College London (UK), Johns Hopkins University (USA), and the Technical University of Munich (Germany). This international consortium brings together clinicians, engineers, and researchers to accelerate the translation of biomedical engineering innovations into clinical practice.

The center operates from Hong Kong Science Park, strategically located within 15 minutes’ drive from Prince of Wales Hospital and CUHK Medical Centre, the two teaching hospitals where clinical trials are conducted. This proximity enables rapid iteration between laboratory development and clinical validation.

Core Research Programmes

MRC’s research activities are organized into three interconnected programmes:

Programme 1: Endoluminal Multi-scale Robotic Platforms

This programme develops robotic platforms for advanced endoluminal surgery, including a Robotic Endoscopic Platform for advanced procedures, Flexible Endoluminal Soft Robots for gastrointestinal cancer treatment, and the Magnetic Anchored and Guided Endoscope (MAGS) for single incision surgery. MAGS technology, in development since 2015, eliminates the need for a human assistant to hold the endoscope during surgery by using magnetic coupling between an external robotic arm and an internal camera capsule.

Programme 2: Magnetic-Guided Endoluminal Robotics

Focusing on magnetic navigation technologies, this programme includes the Magnetic-guided Endoscope (MGE) for complete small bowel examination, micro- and nanorobotics for clinical applications, and magnetic-guided soft tethered capsule endoscopy for upper and lower gastrointestinal diagnostics. The capsule endoscopy work aims to enable painless colonoscopy without sedation through active manipulation under magnetic fields.

Programme 3: Image-Guided Robotic Interventions

This programme integrates advanced imaging modalities with robotic systems for precise surgical interventions, leveraging the center’s unique Hybrid Operating Room facilities.

Research Facilities

MRC’s Hybrid Operating Room spans over 8,000 square feet and represents Asia’s only facility fully dedicated to research, development, and preclinical evaluation of surgical robots and medical devices. The facility is equipped with MRI capabilities and a Robotic-Assisted C-Arm X-ray Imaging System (Siemens Artis Zeego), enabling real-time intraoperative imaging during surgical robotics R&D.

The operating room supports live animal studies and cadaveric research, providing a complete environment for preclinical evaluation before human trials. This capability has enabled numerous breakthrough experiments, including the world’s first teleoperated magnetic endoscopy across continents.

Technology & Innovation

Magnetic Endoscopy Systems

MRC has achieved significant advances in magnetically actuated endoscopic systems. The MAGS endoscope uses AI-powered visual servo control to automatically track surgical instruments, with the camera following the target designated by the surgeon. The system includes self-cleaning capabilities, addressing a major limitation of conventional endoscopes that require frequent withdrawal for lens cleaning during procedures.

Micro- and Nanorobotics

The center has developed a microrobotic platform for image-guided endovascular intervention, utilizing nanorobot swarms and magnetic actuation systems for active drug delivery to targeted regions inside blood vessels. This approach enables high-dose local drug delivery with lower overall required dosage, addressing vascular diseases that are difficult to reach with conventional methods.

Teleoperated Surgery

In collaboration with ETH Zurich, MRC conducted the world’s first in vivo teleoperated magnetic endoscopy using a porcine model in 2024. The procedure, published in Advanced Intelligent Systems, demonstrated successful biopsy of stomach wall tissue with operators controlling the system from Zurich, 9,300 kilometers away from Hong Kong.

Key Milestones

• April 2020: MRC established through InnoHK funding support
• 2021: Open-sourced SurRoL surgical embodied AI software infrastructure
• 2024: World’s first in vivo teleoperated magnetic endoscopy across 9,300 km
• 2024: World’s first multi-task surgical automation tests on a live animal
• 2025: MRC Symposium scheduled for May 29-31, 2025

Collaborative Network

MRC serves as a synergistic platform connecting local and international expertise:

International Partners:

• ETH Zurich: Professor Bradley Nelson, Multi-Scale Robotics Lab
• Imperial College London: Professor Lord Ara Darzi and Professor Ferdinando Rodriguez y Baena
• Johns Hopkins University: Professor Russell H. Taylor
• Technical University of Munich: Robotic surgery research collaboration

Local Leadership:

• Professor Philip Wai Yan Chiu (Co-Director): Dean, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK
• Professor Samuel Kwok Wai Au (Co-Director): Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, CUHK
• Professor Li Zhang: Micro/nanorobotics research
• Professor Yunhui Liu: Robotics and AI

Commercial Translation

While MRC is primarily a research institution, it serves as a medical robotics incubation hub to support technology startups, provide training in surgical robotic technologies, offer preclinical evaluation support services, and promote commercialization of novel medical robotics. Several spin-off companies have emerged from CUHK’s broader medical robotics ecosystem, including collaborations with commercial entities like Cornerstone Robotics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MRC CUHK?

MRC (Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center) is a research institution established by The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2020 with funding from the Hong Kong Government’s InnoHK initiative. It focuses on developing surgical robotics technologies from macro to micro/nano scales, with emphasis on endoscopic and magnetic guidance systems.

Does MRC have commercial products?

MRC is a research center rather than a commercial company. Its technologies are in development and preclinical stages. The center focuses on translational research with the goal of eventually commercializing innovations through partnerships and spin-off companies.

What makes MRC’s facilities unique?

MRC operates Asia’s only Hybrid Operating Room dedicated to surgical robotics R&D, spanning 8,000+ square feet and equipped with MRI and robotic-assisted C-arm imaging. This enables complete preclinical evaluation of new devices through live animal and cadaveric studies.

How does MRC collaborate internationally?

MRC partners with ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, Johns Hopkins University, and Technical University of Munich. These collaborations have enabled breakthrough achievements including the world’s first teleoperated magnetic endoscopy across continents.