Humanoid Robots Achieve Surgical Milestone

This week, two humanoid robots reached a significant milestone by successfully removing a pig’s gallbladder for the first time ever. Researchers believe this achievement might change surgical practices well beyond the conventional operating room.

The groundbreaking procedure was carried out by engineers and surgeons from the University of California, San Diego, with findings published on July 8 in the journal Nature.

The initial surgery involved a humanoid robot assisted by a surgeon. Interestingly, in the follow-up procedure, two humanoid robots performed the task together. Researchers highlight that this successful surgery on a pig is a crucial step before the technology can advance to human clinical trials.

Dr. Ryan Broderick, interim director of the Center for Future Surgery at the university, commented, “As a proof of concept, this definitely worked.”

This humanoid robot differs from many existing robotic surgical systems; it has a head and arms yet occupies significantly less space in the operating room.

The research team even nicknamed the robot “Sargy.” Broderick noted, “We didn’t have the space constraints of traditional robotic surgery since it fit right into the area we usually use for laparoscopic procedures.”

Researchers are optimistic that the robot’s compact design could allow for surgeries in locations where traditional systems might not be feasible. Dr. Shangray Liu, a colorectal surgeon, mentioned the potential for deployment in various challenging environments, such as on ships or in remote villages. “I think that opens up a lot of doors for access,” he said.

Moreover, the team believes that this technology might help address hospital staffing shortages by enabling medical teams to perform more surgeries in the future. Michael Yip, a professor at the university, shared, “We believe we have shown that it is possible to use humanoid robots in the operating room to perform real life-saving procedures that will ultimately save lives.”