Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jake Pensa is a leading researcher in the field of robotic surgery, with a primary focus on restoring haptic feedback to minimally invasive procedures. His work addresses a critical gap in robotic surgery: the loss of tactile sensation, which can lead to excessive tissue damage and suture breakage. Pensa’s major contributions include developing multi-modal haptic feedback systems that reduce grip forces, as demonstrated in his most-cited paper (122 citations), and creating artificial palpation techniques that allow surgeons to “feel” tissue stiffness remotely. He has also pioneered suture breakage warning systems (39 citations), which alert surgeons to excessive tension before sutures fail, and has validated these technologies in animal models. With over 280 total citations, Pensa’s research has significantly advanced patient safety and surgical precision. His bio-inspired haptic feedback algorithms, which mimic human cutaneous afferent responses, represent a notable achievement in translating neurophysiology into practical surgical tools. Through his work at the Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology, Pensa is helping to make robotic surgery safer, more intuitive, and more accessible.