Philips has received a $34 million U.S. grant to research AI-powered robots for remote stroke treatment, aiming to address specialist doctor shortages and improve patient care.
# Philips gets $34 million U.S. grant to develop AI robots for stroke treatment
Source: [https://nltimes.nl/2026/08/28/philips-gets-34-million-us-grant-develop-ai-robots-stroke-treatment](https://nltimes.nl/2026/08/28/philips-gets-34-million-us-grant-develop-ai-robots-stroke-treatment)
Friday, 28 August 2026 \- 12:00
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Philips has been awarded nearly $34 million in US government funding to research the use of AI\-powered robots in stroke treatment\. The Dutch health technology company is investigating whether surgeons could eventually perform procedures remotely by controlling robotic equipment from a cockpit\-like setup equipped with joysticks and multiple screens, a spokesperson said\.
Philips is publicly demonstrating its work on medical robotics in this level of detail for the first time\. The company says robotic stroke treatment could help address shortages of specialist doctors\. Removing a blood clot from a blocked blood vessel requires a specialist, but such doctors are not always available nearby\. Remote treatment could allow patients in those areas to receive care sooner, Philips said\.
The research is being carried out by Philips in partnership with Johns Hopkins University and Boston University\. The technology is still at an early stage, so it may take several years before it is ready for use in healthcare\. Philips plans to launch the robotic technology in the US first and will then consider bringing it to European markets, including the Netherlands\.
Philips says it is not the only company exploring robotic applications for medical treatment\. However, the Dutch company believes it has an advantage thanks to its Azurion image\-guided therapy platform, which is already in use at many hospitals\. Philips expects its robotic technology could eventually be integrated with the existing system\.
Philips has received substantial government funding for medical technology before\. Recently, the Dutch government provided €100 million to the medical technology sector, including Philips\. The funding covers a broad range of medical technology projects, with part of the money also going toward Philips’ robotics research\.
*Reporting by ANP*
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