Thomas E. Shkurti

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About

Thomas E. Shkurti is a leading researcher in surgical robotics, with a primary focus on advancing autonomous and semi-autonomous capabilities for robotic minimally invasive surgery (RMIS). His most impactful work, "Camera-Robot Calibration for the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System" (58 citations), introduces a novel method for solving the critical hand-eye calibration problem between the endoscopic camera and patient-side manipulator arms—a foundational step toward enabling autonomous surgical robots to operate with precision. Shkurti also contributed to "Dual-Arm Needle Manipulation with the da Vinci Surgical Robot," developing planning and control strategies for complex dual-arm needle grasp and regrasp tasks. His recent comprehensive "Systematic Review of Task Automation in Surgical Robotics" (2025) synthesizes the state of the art in automating routine tasks like suturing, highlighting persistent challenges and future directions. Through these contributions, Shkurti has helped bridge the gap between teleoperated systems and fully autonomous surgical assistance, with his calibration work serving as a key reference for researchers aiming to enhance the dexterity and intelligence of robotic surgery platforms.