Faculty of Health Sciences Robotics
Driving innovation in surgery, healthcare, research, and education.
About Us
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria is pioneering the use of robotics in surgery, healthcare, research, and education. From South Africa’s first Robotic-Assisted Surgery Training Centre to Stevie the ICU care robot and youth robotics programmes, we are shaping the future of healthcare and learning. By combining world-class technology, collaboration, and research, UP is leading innovation that improves lives and prepares the next generation for the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
South Africa’s First Robotic-Assisted Surgery Training Centre
In April 2025, the University of Pretoria (UP) made history by launching the country’s first Robotic-Assisted Surgery Training Centre.
- Partners: A collaboration between Intuitive Surgical, Medhold Medical, and UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Veterinary Science.
- Location: Based at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Animal Research Unit.
- Technology: Training surgeons on the world-class da Vinci Surgical System through the TR100 programme.
This centre is reshaping surgical education by offering hands-on, simulation-based training in minimally invasive surgery—boosting precision, dexterity, and patient outcomes.
“We are shaping a new era of surgical outcomes with world-class technology and academic excellence.” – Intuitive Surgical
Innovation Through Collaboration
The centre is transdisciplinary, uniting human and veterinary medicine in ways that benefit both fields. By integrating expertise across faculties, UP is strengthening healthcare innovation for the future.
With surgeons already trained in its first week, the facility is set to become a beacon of excellence in medical education and surgical advancement across Africa.
Robotics in Healthcare
HS²I – Simulation and Innovation
The Health Sciences Centre for Simulation and Innovation (HS²I) supports training in advanced healthcare skills, creating safe environments for students and professionals to refine their practice.
Stevie the Care Robot
The Faculty of Health Sciences and Steve Biko Academic Hospital have introduced Stevie, a mobile robot that joined the ICU team during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global Collaboration:
Stevie connects ICU specialists in South Africa and Germany (Charité Medical University and the Robert Koch Institute), enabling joint ward rounds and real-time patient discussions.
Features:
Equipped with a privacy handset, stethoscope port, and high-definition cameras for close-up diagnosis, Stevie supports patient monitoring and secure communication.
Impact:
Beyond COVID-19, Stevie enhances telemedicine, patient care, training, and specialist collaboration, addressing South Africa’s shortage of intensivists and ICU resources.
“Stevie is now officially the much adored baby of our ICU team, stimulating excitement throughout the hospital.” – Prof. Fathima Paruk, Head of Critical Care, UP & Steve Biko Academic Hospital
Stevie is the second robot at UP, following Libby, the robotic library assistant introduced in 2019. Together, they showcase how UP is embracing robotics across disciplines to shape the future of healthcare and education.
Robotics in Research
Partnership with CSIR
UP collaborates with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), integrating locally developed robotic platforms for cutting-edge research in:
- Robot control
- Perception and navigation
- Artificial intelligence in robotics
These platforms create opportunities for postgraduate students to pioneer research in South Africa’s growing robotics field.
Innovation Through Collaboration
The centre is transdisciplinary, uniting human and veterinary medicine in ways that benefit both fields. By integrating expertise across faculties, UP is strengthening healthcare innovation for the future.
With surgeons already trained in its first week, the facility is set to become a beacon of excellence in medical education and surgical advancement across Africa.
Robotics in Education
Youth STEM Programs
Through the Future Africa initiative, UP runs robotics and coding programmes to empower young people with future-ready STEM skills, preparing the next generation of innovators.
Tuks Robot School
UP’s Enterprises unit offers a Robotics and Coding Facilitator training course to equip educators with the tools to teach robotics effectively in schools.
Academic Research in Education
UP also explores the use of robotics in classrooms, studying how it impacts problem-solving and learning in technical sciences.
Shaping the Future of Healthcare and Education
From the operating room to the classroom and the ICU, UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences Robotics is at the forefront of transformation. By integrating robotic surgery, telemedicine, simulation, and research, the faculty is ensuring that South Africa not only keeps pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution but leads in using robotics to improve lives and expand knowledge.