Duke of York visits the Hamlyn Centre

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, visited the Hamlyn Centre for Robotics as part of his tour of the College on 2 March 2011.

His Royal Highness, The Duke of York, visited the Hamlyn Centre for Robotics as part of his tour of the College on 2 March 2011 to learn more about the pioneering healthcare innovations in the UK and internationally.

The Duke of York witnessed a demonstration of robotic technologies to enhance the precision of surgery by Hamlyn Centre researchers. Professor Guang-Zhong Yang and Professor Ara Darzi explained to The Duke a range of technologies being developed by the Hamlyn Centre and its focus on technological innovation with a strong emphasis on clinical translation and direct patient benefit.

The Hamlyn Centre was established for developing safe, effective and accessible imaging, sensing and robotics technologies that can reshape the future of healthcare for both developing and developed countries. Focusing on technological innovation but with a strong emphasis on clinical translation and direct patient benefit with a global impact, the centre is at the forefront of research in imaging, sensing and robotics for addressing global health challenges associated with demographic, environmental, social and economic changes.

Hosting The Duke of York, Sir Keith O’Nions, the Rector, explained Imperial’s close working relationship with industry, commerce and healthcare. During his visit, The Duke was given a tour of the Imperial Incubator which houses 17 early-stage technology companies spun out of Imperial College. Speaking at the end of his tour, The Duke of York said: "Imperial College has, to my mind, gripped the problem of being able to deliver its output internationally in a way that many other universities have not been able to achieve. It's not just about education, it's about allowing people to innovate, and to expand their minds in order to do the things that I've seen going on here."