Two humanoid robots have successfully used standard surgical instruments and their own robotic hands to perform surgery on a living animal for the first time.
A research team at UC San Diego demonstrated that teleoperated humanoid robots, working alongside humans or together as robot teams, can successfully carry out live surgical procedures.
Recent advances in robotics, motion control, and artificial intelligence have brought humanoid robots closer to real-world use. Healthcare is one of the fields that could benefit the most, as hospitals face growing patient demand and shortages of skilled staff. Many hospital tasks require robots that can move, handle tools, and safely work in spaces designed for people. Humanoid robots are well suited for these challenges, especially in assisting with surgery.
Today’s surgical robots, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, are specially designed for operating rooms. Researchers wanted to find out whether general-purpose humanoid robots can achieve the precision, control, and safety needed for minimally invasive surgery.
Why it matters:
This breakthrough suggests that future humanoid robots could help surgeons perform operations, improve access to specialized care, and reduce the impact of healthcare staffing shortages.
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