A surgical robotic system is provided comprising a suspension structure 1, a carriage 2 arranged to be mounted to the suspension structure, and a manipulator arm 3 arranged to be detachably docked to the carriage via a docking mechanism. The docking mechanism may comprise a first docking connector on the manipulator arm and a second docking connector on the carriage. The first and the second docking connector may establish an electrical connection between the manipulator arm and the carriage when the manipulator arm is docked. The manipulator arm may comprise a connector for connecting the manipulator arm via a cable to an electric power supply, and be configured to supply the carriage with the electrical power via the electrical connection when the manipulator arm is docked. As such, the carriage may not be actuated or otherwise electrically activated unless the manipulator arm is docked to the carriage, which provides a safe way of operating the robotic system.
