Program aims to increase access to highly specialized procedures for all Americans and prevent chronic conditions affecting stroke survivors

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced today the Autonomous Interventions and Robotics (AIR) program. The program has two focus areas: to provide life-saving stroke treatment anywhere in the U.S. with specialized autonomous robotic systems, and to revolutionize healthcare delivery—for everything from oncology to fertility—with small autonomous robots.  If successful, AIR will enable entire surgical interventions without direct human input.  

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from strokes caused by clots that block blood flow in the brain. Strokes are among the top causes of death and the leading cause of disability in the U.S. Currently, the best treatment is a procedure called a thrombectomy, in which doctors remove the clot to restore normal blood flow. Unfortunately, only about 12% of Americans in need receive a thrombectomy, as most people live too far from a hospital that can perform this procedure. Delays in treatment make recovery harder: every 10 minutes of delay adds about $10,000 in healthcare costs, and stroke survivors often face long-term problems like memory loss, depression, and chronic pain. Even surgical procedures that are not as time-sensitive, such as biopsies or kidney stone removal, often require people to travel long distances, missing work and incurring high costs. These procedures can also be invasive and cause complications.

The AIR program aims to solve these problems by developing robots that can do parts or all of surgical interventions on their own. Autonomous robotic systems developed under AIR will make thrombectomies available to all Americans. AIR will also accelerate the development of microbots: very small, mechanical, electronic, or hybrid devices that can perform a wide variety of procedures independently, delivering less invasive care without the need for specialized equipment. AIR technologies will allow all Americans to receive less invasive and more affordable treatments anywhere in the U.S., not just in highly specialized medical centers.  

“AIR strives to fill gaps in surgical care and stroke treatment by mobilizing our nation’s most advanced technological and clinical expertise,” said Alicia Jackson, Ph.D., ARPA-H Director. “The program will not only save lives and prevent hundreds of thousands from suffering, it will further strengthen the U.S. economy by driving breakthrough innovation that is so vital to small and large domestic companies in this growing field.”

Through an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) solicitation, AIR invites proposals from organizations with expertise spanning surgical care, health care, medical imaging, medical devices, robotics, and artificial intelligence, including small and large businesses, academic and scientific research institutions, and small and large hospitals.

“AIR is anticipated to benefit millions of Americans suffering from stroke, and make chronic disability after a stroke a thing of the past,” said AIR Program Manager Ileana Hancu, Ph.D. “We envision care extending beyond the four walls of a clinic to anywhere you can take a container of microbots.”

ARPA-H anticipates that teaming will be necessary to achieve the goals of AIR. Prospective proposers are encouraged to form teams with varied technical and operational expertise from private and public entities to submit a proposal. Other Transactions Agreements (OTAs) (not procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements) under this ISO are anticipated. Investments will depend on the quality of the proposals received. Learn more about AIR on its program page, including information about the solicitation and Proposers’ Day registration.