Position as Research Assistant (m/f/d)

The Project: AI-Based Perception and Robotic Manipulation in MinimallyInvasive Surgery

The cooperation project AVATAR aims to develop a partially autonomous robotic retractor for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery that can be used across various procedures and organ systems. Surgeons can teach the robot how to grasp and retract tissue using a force-sensitive instrument. The robot then performs this task autonomously, guided by force feedback and visual cues from the laparoscopic camera.
To achieve this, AVATAR is developing a force-sensing instrument and AI-based control software, integrating them with an existing laparoscopic manipulator arm to create a robotic assistant. This innovation enhances laparoscopic surgery with autonomous robotic functions, improving care quality while reducing personnel needs and operating costs.

The focus of this project is the development of AI-based methods for the autonomous perception and manipulation of soft tissue in minimally invasive surgery. The research includes 3D reconstruction of the surgical scene from stereo endoscopic data, semantic segmentation of anatomical structures using deep learning, and the determination of optimal grasp points for safe and effective tissue interaction. Furthermore, the work extends to the robotic execution of grasping and hand-over routines through reinforcement and imitation learning. The overall goal is to enable context-aware robotic assistance that enhances precision, safety, and efficiency in laparoscopic procedures.

More details: https://www.aibe.tf.fau.de/files/2025/11/2025-Ausschreibung-Avatar.pdf