Robert Brooks

CEO | ForceN

Robert Brooks is a leading expert in precision, high reliability robotic sensing and design. In industry, Brooks has worked across a broad range of high-reliability sectors including nuclear, steel, industrial robotics, pharmaceutical automation and medical devices. He also has a deep background in micro-machining, high density circuit board assembly, and welding with a focus on precision machine assemblies. Brooks holds a BS in in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Waterloo, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto where his thesis was focused on designing and developing next generation of surgical robotic mechanisms and sensors.

All Sessions by Robert Brooks

May 27, 2026

Best Practices for Force-Torque Sensing in Surgical Robotics
1:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Room 255
Touch is a key enabling modality in many surgical procedures. Recreating and augmenting the surgeon’s sense of touch in surgical robotics relies on innovations in compact, high reliability, scalable force-torque sensing technologies.

This session will give an overview of the roles of force and torque sensing in surgical robotics; including tip of instrument sensing, trocar remote center of motion/tissue contact, surgeon collaboration/leading/tool insertion, and surgeon-consol interfaces.

We’ll dive in core specifications and the state-of-the-art of what’s possible with force-torque sensing technologies, along with best practices for implementing the force-torque modality into surgical robots.

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Robert Brooks