A research team in California has reported a milestone that pushes the idea of robots in the operating room a step closer to reality. According to the account, surgeons at UC San Diego have, for the first time, operated through a humanoid robot, using the machine to remove gallbladders and to carry out two procedures on pigs.
The robot at the center of the experiment even has a name. According to the account, the team guided the robot, which they nicknamed Surgy, to remove a gallbladder, demonstrating that a humanoid machine could be directed to complete a real surgical task rather than simply moving through pre-set motions.
For the researchers, the significance lies in what the test proved rather than in the specific operation. According to the account, they described the work as a proof of concept that absolutely worked, framing it as a key step before any human trials could be considered further down the line.
At the same time, the team was careful to temper expectations about how soon this could reach patients. According to the account, the researchers said the robots are not ready for hospitals yet, but that the day is coming, positioning the experiment as an early stage in a longer process of development.
The scientists also drew a contrast between their aims and the way humanoid robots usually capture public attention. According to the account, they noted that while most humanoid robots go viral for stunts such as backflips and kung fu, their goal was to show a role for the machines in actually benefiting society and helping people.
That sense of purpose was reflected in how the team described the potential of the technology. According to the account, they said they believe it is possible to use humanoid robots in an operating room to do real procedures that can eventually save lives, casting the work as medicine-focused rather than a technical showcase.
Looking ahead, the group is already testing how far the concept can be stretched. According to the account, the team is now exploring operations carried out from even farther away, hoping to one day reach patients in remote communities where access to surgical care can be limited.