Surgeons Use Teleoperated Humanoid Robots to Perform Live Surgery

Source: University of California San Diego

For decades, surgical robotics has been built around purpose-designed systems like the da Vinci platform. A new study published in Nature explores a different idea: can a general-purpose humanoid robot perform surgery?

Researchers have now demonstrated that two teleoperated humanoid robots completed surgical procedures during a preclinical study, marking an early step toward bringing human-shaped robots into the operating room.

Why Humanoid Robots?

Today's surgical robots are designed exclusively for the operating room.

Humanoid robots are different. They are built to operate in environments already designed for humans, using the same instruments, equipment, and workspaces as surgeons and clinical staff.

That could allow a single robotic platform to perform a much wider range of hospital tasks than conventional surgical robots.

How the System Works

The robots were not operating autonomously.

Every movement was controlled in real time by a surgeon through a teleoperation system. The study was designed to evaluate whether humanoid robots could safely execute surgical tasks while preserving the surgeon's precision and control.

The procedures were performed in a preclinical setting, providing an opportunity to assess the technology before any clinical application.

Beyond the Operating Table

One of the most interesting aspects of humanoid robotics is versatility.

The same robot could potentially prepare the operating room, transport equipment, hand instruments to the surgical team, and assist during procedures without requiring multiple dedicated robotic systems.

Whether that vision proves practical remains to be seen, but it represents a different direction for surgical robotics.

What Comes Next?

The technology is still in its early stages.

Future work will focus on improving dexterity, reducing latency, enhancing perception, and eventually introducing greater levels of autonomy while maintaining patient safety.

Clinical use is still years away, but this study shows that humanoid robots are beginning to move from laboratory demonstrations into realistic surgical environments.

Source: Medicalxpress