03 Mar 2026

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) recently hosted internationally acclaimed robotics expert Professor Bradley Nelson for a public seminar.

Prof Nelson, who is listed in the Guinness World Records for developing one of the most advanced mini medical robots, delivered a presentation titled: Micro-robotics, Telesurgery for Stroke.

During his presentation, Prof. Nelson highlighted the transformative potential of micro-robotics in improving patient outcomes, particularly in time-critical conditions such as stroke. He explained how remote surgical capabilities could expand access to specialised care, especially in regions where advanced medical expertise was not readily available.

He also conducted a live demonstration showcasing the future of micro-robotics in stroke treatment.

Prof. Nelson noted that stroke was the second leading cause of death globally and emphasised the importance of timely intervention. He said patients in remote areas often struggled to access advanced care quickly, but emerging technologies could bridge that gap.

He said for stroke care, speed was everything, adding that people living far from major medical centres could experience dangerous delays in receiving life-saving treatment.

He explained that a new generation of robotic and telerobotic systems aimed to change this reality by enabling expert neuro-interventionalists to perform emergency procedures across vast distances using internet connectivity.

Prof. Nelson further stated that the technology stemmed from over two decades of basic research. He said they had demonstrated the feasibility of such procedures using animal models, paving the way for future clinical applications.

The American roboticist has been Professor of Robotics and Intelligent Systems at ETH Zurich in Switzerland since 2002. He is widely recognised for his pioneering research in micro-robotics, nanorobotics and medical robotics.

Dean of the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at BIUST, Dr Tjiparuro Zeundjua, thanked Prof. Nelson and his team for the complimentary lecture and for exposing students and faculty to cutting-edge advancements in robotics and their impact on medical care.

He described the seminar as a living testament to innovation in healthcare, highlighting the integration of telecommunications, micro-robotics, high-resolution imaging and other enabling technologies. ENDS