New Delhi, January 29, 2026: Intuitive Surgical has partnered with IIT Madras to support the development of a fully indigenous, portable ultrasound imaging system aimed at improving early breast cancer detection in rural and semi-urban India. The initiative is being supported through Intuitive’s CSR funding.
The project is being led by the Biomedical Ultrasound Lab (BUSi) at IIT Madras under the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering. It focuses on translating advanced ultrasound imaging technologies into a portable, affordable breast-screening device that can be deployed in primary healthcare centres and mobile medical units.
Breast cancer survival rates in India remain at around 66%, compared to nearly 90% in many Western countries, largely due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to screening in underserved regions. By enabling early screening closer to communities, the initiative aims to address key barriers related to infrastructure, cost, and availability of trained specialists.
Once commercialised, the device is expected to be cost-competitive at the entry level and could be between 20% and 50% more affordable than current mid- to high-end imported ultrasound systems with comparable features. Designed for use by frontline healthcare workers with minimal training, the system includes a compact surface plate to support consistent and high-quality scans in resource-constrained environments.
Dr. Arun Kumar Thittai, Professor, IIT Madras, said, “India lacks indigenous medical imaging systems despite the widespread use of ultrasound in routine care. Our lab is addressing this gap by developing an advanced yet accessible screening device that allows frontline healthcare workers to perform reliable breast screening without specialized radiology training, extending early detection to villages, small towns and remote communities through mobile units and primary health centres. Built on our proprietary ultrasound platform, the system delivers high-quality images at higher frame rates than most existing commercial scanners.”
In addition to direct healthcare impact, the initiative is expected to strengthen India’s health-tech ecosystem by generating high-quality indigenous imaging data. This could support the development of AI-driven diagnostics, automated screening tools, telemedicine applications, and new domestic intellectual property.
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, IIT Madras, said, “We are grateful for the support and partnership with Intuitive, which is all set to catalyse research aimed at building an affordable ultrasound imaging system for rural India. This partnership is a compelling example of industry–academia collaboration for translating cutting-edge research into scalable, affordable healthcare solutions with real-world impact.”
Glenn Vavoso, Senior Vice President and President, Asia Pacific, Intuitive, noted, “Across Asia Pacific, we see a shared challenge of improving access to early diagnosis in communities where healthcare resources are limited. Our partnership with IIT Madras reflects our commitment to supporting collaborations that translate advanced science into practical and affordable solutions for underserved populations, while demonstrating how locally driven innovation can strengthen healthcare ecosystems, empower frontline providers, and create models that benefit communities across the region.”
Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, “Intuitive’s support for this project reflects our commitment to partnering with academic institutions that are shaping India’s medtech landscape. IIT Madras has a long-standing record of converting engineering research into practical technologies, and this project represents another step toward advancing accessible imaging solutions.”
The collaboration reinforces the role of industry–academia partnerships in developing scalable healthcare innovations that address critical gaps in early diagnosis and equitable access to care in India.
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