World’s first humanoid robots carry out live surgery:Two teleoperated robots performed 2 live gallbladder removals during preclinical trial

Imagine a future where a surgeon can operate on a patient hundreds of kilometres away with the help of a humanoid robot. That future is now a step closer. For the first time ever, researchers at the University of California San Diego have successfully used two teleoperated humanoid robots to perform live surgeries during a preclinical trial. The achievement could pave the way for safer surgeries in remote areas, disaster zones, and even space missions. A historic first in robotic surgery The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature, involved two successful gallbladder removal surgeries on large non-primate mammals. The researchers carried out two different procedures: The successful trial marks the first time humanoid robots have been used in this way during live surgeries. Meet ‘Surgie’ – The humanoid surgical robot The robot used in the study is nicknamed ‘Surgie.’ Unlike today’s large robotic surgical systems, Surgie is designed to be compact, mobile and easier to use. Robot Specifications Researchers had to build special adapters so the robot could hold traditional surgical tools, but once equipped, it blended naturally into the operating room. How does the robot perform surgery? The surgeries were teleoperated, meaning the robot did not work independently. Instead, an experienced surgeon controlled every movement remotely using a special control system. The robot copied the surgeon’s hand movements with high precision to perform the procedure. Researchers say the robot’s precision is comparable to existing robotic surgical systems. Why humanoid robots could change healthcare Current robotic surgery systems are extremely large and expensive. Traditional surgical robots: Also read: BSNL launches satellite phone, now calls without SIM-network is possible: Buying this ₹1.34 lakh device requires govt approval; designed for defence and emergencies

Better access to healthcare Because they are lightweight and portable, these robots could be used in: Their compact design also makes them much cheaper and easier to deploy. More than just a surgical robot Unlike traditional surgical robots that are built only to perform operations, humanoid robots are designed to handle a variety of physical tasks. Besides assisting in surgery, they can bring surgical instruments to doctors, support hospital staff during procedures, and even clean the operating room afterward.
Researchers believe these robots could also help hospitals facing staff shortages by taking over routine tasks, allowing medical teams to focus on patient care. This flexibility makes humanoid robots far more versatile than conventional surgical machines. Researchers believe this could improve global healthcare The research team says surgeon shortages are becoming a serious challenge worldwide. Michael Yip, professor at the University of California San Diego and one of the study’s senior authors, said: Remotely operated and autonomous humanoid robots have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries to which patients would otherwise not have access. This can help address the healthcare crisis not only in the United States, but also worldwide. He added: This study shows that humanoid robots have a viable future in the field of surgery. You can imagine these robots being deployed in remote communities where staffing is challenging, or in austere environments like search and rescue scenarios where a massive deployment of field medicine is needed in a short period of time. Also read: VIDEO of robot attack in Indonesia goes viral: Garners 10 crore views; reignites safety debate
Challenges still remain Although the trial was successful, the technology is still in its early stages. Researchers faced several challenges: Dr. Liu pointed out that the first robotic laparoscopic surgery once took six hours, while today the same procedure can often be completed in about 30 minutes. What comes next? The researchers are now working on making the robots faster, more reliable, and capable of operating over longer distances. Their long-term vision is to create an autonomous surgical assistant that works alongside doctors instead of replacing them. Michael Yip said: One of our goals is to develop the autonomous surgical assistant. Many communities struggle with adequate staffing on the surgical team, which means patients are not being treated. Our goal is an operating theatre of the future, where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team. While the technology still needs refinement, it could eventually make life-saving surgeries available in places where trained surgeons or advanced medical facilities are difficult to access, bringing healthcare closer to people around the world.