World-First Surgical Breakthrough: Humanoid Robots Perform Operations on Patients in California

In a world first, two humanoid robots have successfully performed surgical procedures under remote human control, marking an important milestone toward the future use of humanoid robots in medicine. The study was published in the journal Nature.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, carried out two surgical procedures on large animal models. In one operation, a humanoid robot worked alongside a human surgeon, while in the second, two robots collaborated to complete the procedure.

The robots, named Surgie, stand approximately 1.5 meters tall and weigh just 27 kilograms. Unlike today's specialized robotic surgical systems, which are large and designed for a limited range of procedures, humanoid robots can use standard surgical instruments and operate in a variety of clinical environments.

According to the researchers, these systems could eventually help address the global shortage of surgeons. They may be deployed in remote communities, small hospitals, disaster zones, and even space missions, where access to highly trained medical specialists is limited.

During the experiments, the robots achieved a level of surgical precision comparable to that of existing robotic teleoperation systems. However, the researchers acknowledge that the technology still requires further development. The procedures currently take longer to complete, while communication latency and the need for repeated robot calibration remain significant technical challenges.

Looking ahead, the team envisions humanoid robots serving not only as robotic surgeons but also as versatile assistants in the operating room, capable of handling tasks ranging from preparing surgical equipment and passing instruments to setting up the operating theater.

The researchers believe that continued advances in humanoid robotics could pave the way for a new model of healthcare in which humans and robots work side by side, expanding access to high-quality surgical care in areas where medical professionals are in short supply.

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