Robotics

Taking a biopsy while a patient is lying in an MRI scanner is extremely complicated. It requires extreme precision. Most robots cannot operate near an MRI scanner. In this new episode of Kees Study, I discover how medical robotics makes this possible, with a robot specially designed for MRI-guided breast biopsy.

Every year, the workshop of Sinterklaas descends into organised chaos. In the weeks leading up to the fifth of December, presents pile up in every imaginable shape and size. The Piets work late into the evening to get everything finished in time. Watching the scene unfold, Sinterklaas wonders: surely this could be done more efficiently. What if there were a robot capable of recognising, picking up and wrapping all those different packages? It would save an enormous amount of time.

Imagine you are sitting in a self-driving car. Suddenly, someone runs across the street. In a fraction of a second, the car decides to brake. How does it do that so quickly? And could it do so even faster or with less energy, especially now that self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles rely heavily on cameras, smart sensors and AI systems?

The suit of the fictional superhero Iron Man grants engineer Tony Stark superhuman strength, flight and other superhero abilities. Engineers from Twente figured out how to build a team of Iron Men, by coating sperm cells with iron nanoparticles. Suddenly, they can be steered like robots.

Entering a drug lab without knowing which gases are being released is life-threatening. “That risk needs to be reduced,” says University of Twente researcher Dimitar Rangelov. Together with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, the Police Academy and the Technical University of Sofia, he is developing an AI-driven forensic investigation system that makes crime scene work faster, safer and more accurate.

What if medical imaging could be done not lying down, but standing up? For women with pelvic floor disorders, this is no longer science fiction. At University of Twente, Anique Bellos-Grob is working on innovative solutions that make healthcare more accessible and effective for women. Using upright MRI and 4D ultrasound, she is mapping the dynamics of the female body like never before.

Cars with smart features? We’re no longer surprised by them. Fully self-driving vehicles may still be on the horizon, but a car that reads road signs, brakes automatically, and keeps a safe distance? You’ll find one at any decent dealership these days. But could something like that… work on a bike?

When people recover from a stroke, they often start by doing exercises in a clinic. But once they go home, they need to keep exercising to keep their hands and wrists functional. These exercises can feel boring and hard to stick to. Many people skip the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercises, which slows down or reverses their recovery. But what if brushing your teeth or drinking your morning coffee could help you get better?

Imagine your next medical treatment being faster, more precise, and better tailored to your personal needs. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making this possible. At the labs of the University of Twente, researchers are working daily on innovative solutions that are transforming healthcare. From faster diagnoses to supporting doctors with complex procedures, AI is paving the way for a more efficient and future-proof healthcare system.

At the laboratories of the University of Twente, researchers are working on robotics that will improve healthcare. These studies aim to make care more personalised and precise, ensuring that every patient receives the treatment that suits them best. While robots are already used in healthcare, in the future they will be deployed even more frequently. In this story, we’ll look at how robotics is helping to detect and treat cancer.

Within innovation cluster MedTech Twente, people are working on tomorrow's healthcare. UT alumnus Gabriel Costa and Stephanie Jansen, founders of spin-off company J58, talk about the importance of patient-centred innovations, the ecosystem in Twente and making an impact.

You might not always think about it, but landmines are still an enormous global threat in today's day and age – with (post-)conflict regions being heavily contaminated. The demining of such areas is extremely dangerous and time-consuming. Mechanical Engineering students Benjamin O’regan and Reinis Jaunarajs developed an effective solution as part of their bachelor’s thesis project: they built landmine detection drones.

Getting smarter, stronger and faster with technology. That is what UT professor Herman van der Kooij and his team are researching every day. At 'Universiteit van Nederland', he talks about the bionic man.

Imagine a date between two researchers from completely different research fields, what would happen? In this video, researchers Anne Dijkstra and Douwe Dresscher meet, each with their own unique field of research. Is it a match?

A surgeon swimming through your body, it sounds like science fiction now, but it might be closer than you think. At the TechMed Centre at the University of Twente, tiny robots were already swimming through a detached aorta with kidneys. Discover the future of vascular surgery.

Explore the future in our podcast series, "My Future Dream Job," where Anic van Damme guides you to the year 2030. Our scientists explore prospective careers in cybersecurity, climate adaptation, and energy transition. Listen in to gain insights into the professions taking shape at the University of Twente.

The labour market is under pressure. From the busy airports of Schiphol to the hectic hospital corridors, there's a huge shortage of staff everywhere. Perhaps you've already noticed the effects yourself. Restaurants operate with fewer staff, leading to longer waiting times for your food. Classrooms are fuller due to the lack of teachers or masters. And your parcels? Those take longer to arrive because of understaffed delivery services. Even buses and trains are less frequent on the roads and tracks.