Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

S. Harris is a pioneering researcher in the field of surgical robotics, with particular expertise in hands-on robotic systems, active-constraint robotics, and their clinical applications in orthopaedic and urological surgery. Over a career spanning more than two decades, Harris has made transformative contributions to the development and clinical validation of robotic systems designed to augment—rather than replace—the surgeon's skill and judgment. Harris is perhaps best known for the development of the Acrobot system, a "hands-on" robotic platform for knee replacement surgery that uses active-constraint technology to guide surgical tools within predefined safe boundaries. This work culminated in landmark prospective randomised controlled trials of both total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, demonstrating measurable improvements in implant positioning accuracy compared to conventional surgery. Among Harris's earliest contributions was the Probot, one of the first robots designed for clinical prostate resection, published in 1997 and garnering 231 citations. The Acrobot trials alone have collectively attracted over 700 citations, reflecting their enduring influence on the field. Harris also extended active-constraint robotics into neurosurgery through the Neurobot project, demonstrating the versatility of these control principles across surgical specialties. Throughout this body of work, a consistent theme emerges: advocating for robotic systems that are cost-effective, clinically justified, and meaningfully collaborative with human surgeons.