In a landmark event, SS Innovations, the developer of India's first indigenous surgical robotic system—SSI Mantra—recently introduced the SSI Mantra Tele-Sync Mobile Unit (SSI MantraM) during the Second Global SSI Multi-Speciality Robotic Surgery Conference (SMRSC) 2025 in Gurgaon. This cutting-edge mobile telesurgical equipment is poised to change the face of healthcare delivery in India by making advanced robotic surgery available to underprivileged and distant areas. With this breakthrough, SS Innovations hopes to bridge the gap between cutting-edge surgical care and rural India, guaranteeing that no patient is denied world-class treatment due to geographic limitations.

SSI MantraM is a mobile telesurgical unit with high-speed connectivity and advanced robotic capabilities that allows for real-time collaboration between professional surgeons and local healthcare providers in remote regions. This breakthrough allows doctors to execute complex surgeries with precision regardless of their physical location, reducing delay and ensuring optimal results.

Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, the founder, chairman, and CEO of SS Innovations, emphasised the mobile unit's disruptive potential by democratising and decentralising world-class healthcare. He described SSI MantraM as a movement to democratise and decentralise world-class healthcare rather than just a mobile telesurgery unit. With high-speed telecommunications and satellite connectivity, it overcomes geographical boundaries to provide life-saving robotic-assisted surgery to underprivileged communities. Beyond tele-surgery, SSI MantraM is an effective platform for surgical education, tele-mentoring, and real-time patient data analytics."

Dr. Srivastava also stated that SSI MantraM is more than just an operational unit; it is also a hub of training and knowledge sharing that can enable smaller hospitals to adopt robotic surgery practices, thereby improving their capabilities and ensuring that patients in rural areas receive the same level of care as those in urban centres..

Bridging the Urban-Rural Divide: Real Patient Experiences

The importance of mobile robotic surgery for improving health equity in India cannot be overemphasised. Consider the hardships of Shyam Sundar Semwal, a 58-year-old farmer from Chamoli, Uttarakhand, who had to make the long journey to Delhi for knee surgery. Over ₹1.7 lakh was spent on travel, housing, food, and medical expenditures, putting a strain on the farmer's finances.

Similarly, Nripen Majumdar of Cachar, Assam, travelled six hours to Guwahati for a tumour excision operation. Despite partial insurance coverage, he suffered bills exceeding ₹1.16 lakh, depleting his little resources. Both patients complained about a lack of advanced surgical facilities in their hometowns, emphasising the critical need for decentralised, cost-effective healthcare options..

With SSI MantraM, we could eliminate such excursions and the mental, physical, and financial hardship they cause. Dr. Srivastava suggested taking the bus to smaller communities and offering care at nearby hospitals or facilities. By reducing the need for patients to travel to major cities, we minimise not only expenses but also the emotional and social burden of healthcare access.

Dr Frederic Moll, widely acknowledged as the Father of Surgical Robotics and Vice Chairman of SS Innovations International Inc., praised SS Innovations' efforts in building the SSI Mantra system. The speaker praised the SSI Mantra for its outstanding clinical skills and its rapid development. As robots improve and become more intelligent, we are entering a new era of capabilities that will benefit both patients and humanity in fundamental ways."

Dr. Moll also emphasised the relevance of low-cost robotic systems in achieving health equity in a diverse, resource-constrained society like India. Dr Moll told Drug Today Medical Times on the margins of the conference, "The challenge has always been the cost of robotic surgery, which has been a significant barrier to its widespread adoption." The development of low-cost systems such as SSI Mantra will broaden access to robots while ensuring that the cost is proportionate to general use, paving the door for low-cost robotics in the future."

Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S. P., a surgical oncologist, demonstrated telesurgery by performing a robotic surgery remotely from SS Innovations' headquarters in Gurgaon, while Dr. Kushal Agrawal, an associate consultant in surgical oncology, assisted on-site at Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, which is over 1,700 kilometres away. This pioneering feat is a significant step forward in providing expert treatment over long distances, demonstrating the efficacy of telemedicine in India.

SSI MantraM is now intended for abdominal and urological surgeries, with future iterations hoping to include fully completed mobile operating rooms that fulfil all sterile and regulatory standards. According to Dr. Srivastava, the next generation of the operating room will be fully functional and mobile. The architectural concept has been finalised, and within the next six months, we will have an actual operating room that meets all of the sterile procedural standards."

One of the most major impediments to robotic surgery adoption has been its high cost, which makes it inaccessible to rural and low-income communities. With the advent of SSI MantraM, SS Innovations lowers the price barrier to modern surgery, making it more accessible to millions who might otherwise be unable to afford it. Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, an acclaimed innovator and educational reformist, emphasised the importance of using technology to democratise healthcare. He stated, "By harnessing innovation, sustainable technology, and community-driven solutions, we can democratise healthcare, making advanced treatments accessible to all."

To ensure the seamless implementation of robotic surgery in smaller hospitals, SS Innovations has established the SS International Centre for Robotic Surgery, which will train healthcare professionals throughout India. The institute aims to train surgeons and technicians to operate robotic equipment successfully, bringing expert treatment closer to rural patients. Today marks the start of an exciting new age, with SSI at the vanguard of a transition that will reshape the medical industry. We are witnessing the beginning of a moment in which quantum physics and robotic surgery will mix, opening up new frontiers in medical innovation."

The inauguration of SSI MantraM marks a watershed milestone in India's healthcare history, delivering modern robotic surgery to disadvantaged communities. SS Innovations is driving a paradigm shift in healthcare access and equity by removing geographical barriers, lowering financial burdens, and providing cutting-edge technology to local hospitals. With economical robotic surgery on wheels, India is not only changing surgical treatment but also reinforcing its position as a global leader in medical technology innovation.