In a remarkable demonstration of cutting-edge telemedicine, doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi have successfully examined a patient located thousands of kilometres away in Antarctica. This was not accomplished through a conventional video consultation but via a live ultrasound scan conducted remotely, showcasing how specialist medical care can be delivered seamlessly across continents.
Robotic Technology Enables Real-Time Medical Imaging
During the AIIMS Research Day 2026 event, medical professionals remotely controlled an ultrasound probe mounted on a robotic arm stationed at an Indian Antarctic research base. As the probe was meticulously manoeuvred by the doctors in Delhi, high-quality real-time images were transmitted back to them, allowing for a diagnostic scan that felt almost as if they were physically present beside the patient.
Successful Trials and Clinical Applications
The innovative telerobotic system has undergone extensive testing through multiple trials, with doctors achieving successful outcomes in various medical imaging procedures. These include abdominal ultrasounds, trauma assessments, cardiac imaging, Doppler studies, and neck scans. Officials involved in the project confirmed that the image quality remained sufficiently clear for making critical clinical decisions, despite the extreme geographical distance and challenging environmental conditions in Antarctica.
Professor (Dr) Chandrashekhara SH of AIIMS highlighted that while the technology is currently in the testing phase, it holds immense potential for deployment in remote and underserved regions. There are concrete plans to expand its application in the future, aiming to bridge healthcare gaps in areas with limited access to medical specialists.
Addressing Healthcare Challenges in Extreme Environments
Medical care in Antarctica presents unique and formidable challenges. Expedition members operate in severe cold, complete isolation, and with minimal medical infrastructure. In emergencies, doctors must quickly determine whether a patient can be treated on-site or requires evacuation—a process that can take days or be impossible due to harsh weather. The absence of immediate diagnostic tools in such scenarios can pose life-threatening risks, making this technological advancement particularly significant.
Collaborative Development and Future Deployment
The telerobotic system is the result of a collaborative effort between AIIMS New Delhi and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, along with partners including the IHFC, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital. Medical experts believe this technology could be transformative not only for polar expeditions but also for disaster-affected zones, high-altitude regions, offshore installations, and remote rural areas across India, where timely access to specialist care is often delayed or unavailable.
This breakthrough underscores India's growing prowess in medical innovation and its commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing healthcare accessibility worldwide. By enabling real-time diagnostic capabilities across vast distances, the system promises to save lives and improve medical outcomes in some of the most inaccessible locations on the planet.
