Intuitive Surgical Robot Racing
An Intuitive Surgical Robot Racing event in Atlanta for 270 people was a gigantic success!
Intuitive Surgical is a world-leader in robotic surgery because it pioneered minimally invasive robotic platforms that enhance precision, reduce recovery times, and expand surgical capabilities. Its systems, like the da Vinci Surgical System, are widely adopted in operating rooms globally for complex procedures with improved outcomes for patients and clinicians. A recent breakthrough from Intuitive is the Ion shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform, which enables physicians to biopsy small, difficult-to-reach lung nodules more accurately and safely than traditional methods, helping catch lung cancer at much earlier stages when five-year survival rates can be dramatically higher.
27 teams of 10 people each built and customized their own unique Robot Racers, and each one was a masterpiece to behold, even if some of them raced much better than others. Teams traded parts on the open market to enhance their designs, and five teams negotiated their way into earning sets of Monster Wheels!
Intuitive Surgical made the event more challenging, and more like a real work like situation, by having one person from each team in a separate room with the instructions for component part #2 “Drive Train”, and a phone. They explained how to build the drive train, while teammates on the other end of the phone interpreted their advice and built the drive train with the parts.
All 27 teams entered into one of three preliminary races featuring 9 robots each. The top three finishers from each race qualified for the final. The races were outrageous and ridiculously fun, as teams smashed each other outside of the race track, making them restart the lap, so it took several attempted laps to get one to work. Nonetheless, three teams from each bracket finished, and finished ahead of the other bots!
We were assisted at the event by a talented crew from the Georgia Tech Medical Robotics Team (pictured above). In addition to being incredibly helpful and essential to the delivery of the event, they are students at the best medical robotics program in the country, and have 100% alignment with Intuitive Surgical. An incredible win-win situation, where the club and the company have shared interests in meeting each other, and the expertise they bring to the event is unparalleled.
A huge thank you to Matt, Chris, and Nicole, and Intuitive Surgical for partnering with us on a truly amazing team building event, with a truly exceptional company, and amazingly qualified robot support staff!
