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Researcher develops AI-powered surgical robot
Inspired by science fiction and her Indian neurosurgeon father’s medical practice, Chennai-native Kalavakonda’s work blends robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and a human-centric approach to healthcare innovation.
Niveditha Kalavakonda / Image- University of Washington
University of Washington (UW) electrical and computer engineering (ECE) doctoral student Niveditha Kalavakonda is leading efforts to develop an intelligent robot to assist surgeons during neurosurgical procedures.
Inspired by science fiction and her Indian neurosurgeon father’s medical practice, Chennai-native Kalavakonda’s work blends robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and a human-centric approach to healthcare innovation.
The project, developed in the UW BioRobotics Lab under the guidance of Professor Blake Hannaford, focuses on a robotic assistant which autonomously performs assistive tasks, such as clearing surgical fields with suction, while adapting to the surgeon's behavior. This innovation leverages adaptive AI learning models and trajectory prediction to ensure precision in a narrow surgical field of 1-2 centimeters.
“This is a very people-centric problem. If we only approach it with an engineering mindset, we may not be able to optimize for what would be helpful,” Kalavakonda said. “I strongly believe that we have to develop a human-centric understanding with an engineering perspective.”
The research has broader implications, potentially benefiting other surgical fields like orthopedics, gynecology, and cardiac surgery. Kalavakonda’s approach could also extend to non-medical technologies, including self-driving cars and robotic home assistants. She estimates that her prototype could be commercialized within 7-10 years, addressing critical needs in under-resourced and rural areas.
Kalavakonda’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including the prestigious Yang Award for Outstanding Doctoral Student in May 2024. The award, which highlights exceptional research in electrical and computer engineering, underscores her innovative work and leadership in fostering collaboration within the department.
“Nivii came to the UW with an exciting background in virtual reality programming. Her dissertation represents her ambitious vision of an autonomous robotic assistant for neurosurgery,” Hannaford said. “I fully expect that her work will help to launch a new subfield, surgical human-robot interaction.”
Kalavakonda’s academic journey began at the Amrita School of Engineering in Coimbatore, India, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering in 2014. She then pursued research at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, working on surgical robotics. Her interest in medical robotics deepened after encountering research by Hannaford, leading her to pursue advanced studies at UW ECE, where she earned her master’s degree in 2017 and is on track to complete her doctorate by early 2025.
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