A tiny incision – and the spinal surgery can be performed using the keyhole technique. Modern hybrid operating theatres allow doctors to perform minimally invasive and open surgery – but this requires high-tech premises. Scientists from various disciplines are testing how these can be optimised and how automation processes in medicine can be advanced – at the University Hospital in Mannheim, where a unique Fraunhofer IPA development platform is available exclusively for research purposes. It offers ideal conditions for testing new technologies directly in a clinical environment, and ensuring a rapid transfer to practice.