Surgery at doorstep! How India's first telesurgery bus SSI MantraM works

SS Innovations has unveiled SSI MantraM, the country’s first mobile tele-robotic surgery unit. Built on a BharatBenz 1824 chassis, the mobile unit boasts an 18,500 kg gross vehicle weight and measures 11.9 m in length, 2.59 m in width, and 3.49 m in height. The cost of modifying the vehicle into a fully functional telesurgery unit, excluding the robotic system, is estimated at Rs 1.3 crore.
The vehicle is designed to bridge the gap in advanced surgical care for remote and underserved regions, the unit brings robotic-assisted procedures closer to those in need, eliminating the necessity for long-distance travel. The unit enables real-time collaboration between surgeons, allowing them to either perform or guide surgical procedures remotely.

To ensure seamless operations during travel and setup, the vehicle is structurally reinforced with a specialized locking mechanism and vibration-dampening systems. An air suspension system further minimizes road-induced movement.
The climate-controlled interiors maintain an optimal temperature of 21°C ± 3°C with 55% relative humidity. Besides that, one of the key aspects of SSI MantraM is its robust power backup system, featuring an onboard 5 kVA generator and external power compatibility to ensure uninterrupted operations even in remote locations. It also gets a 380-litre fuel tank that makes the unit highly mobile.
Connectivity is another crucial factor for telesurgery, and SSI MantraM is equipped with high-speed telecommunication systems. SS Innovations is also conducting R&D into satellite connectivity, which would enable surgeons to perform remote procedures in the most isolated parts of the country.