Kyushu University and F.MED Begin Remote Surgery Robot Demonstration Using IOWN APN

Kyushu University announced on September 16, 2026, the launch of a demonstration project for remote-operated surgical robots connecting Kyushu University Hospital and Kyushu University Hospital Beppu over approximately 110 kilometers using the "IOWN APN" optical network. The two-year demonstration project (2026-2027) was adopted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The project verifies whether F.MED's microsurgery-capable surgical support robot, adapted for remote operation, can perform sophisticated surgical procedures such as suturing blood vessels with diameter under 1mm using sutures under 0.009mm. The demonstration involves collaboration with the Japanese Surgical Association, NTT Docomo Business, NTT Innovative Devices, and Ceran, representing a critical step toward real-world implementation of remote surgery.