Researchers in the U.S. have, for the first time worldwide, successfully used remotely controlled humanoid robots to perform two surgical procedures as part of a preclinical trial.

The procedures were performed on large non-primate mammals by a team from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). One involved the removal of the gallbladder and was performed by a human-robot team, with the surgeon collaborating with a humanoid robot. In the second procedure, two humanoid robots worked together.

According to the researchers, this achievement highlights the potential of teleoperated humanoid robots to assist surgeons in operating rooms and, in the future, even enable surgeries to be performed from a great distance, according to Interesting Engineering.

Why they are superior to current systems

This technology could help address the global shortage of surgeons by expanding access to specialized care, especially in remote or underserved areas.

Unlike current robotic surgery systems, which are highly specialized, heavy (over 800 kilograms), and require specially designed infrastructure, humanoid robots can be more easily adapted to existing hospitals.

The robots, called Surgie, which were used in the study (published in the journal *Nature*), are about 1.5 meters tall and weigh just 27 kilograms. The researchers equipped them with special adapters so they could use conventional surgical instruments. As their operators reported, controlling them felt more intuitive thanks to their humanoid design.

Surgical Robots of the Future

The UCSD team claims that in preclinical trials, the teleoperated robots achieved accuracy comparable to that of established robotic surgical systems. However, significant technical challenges remain. During the procedures, several recalibrations were required, which increased the total procedure time; furthermore, the delay in transmitting commands from the surgeon to the robot remains a critical issue, particularly for long-distance surgeries.

“Our goal is an operating room of the future, where humanoid robots and humans will work sideas an integrated team to provide surgical procedures to those who need them, both in traditional hospital settings and in non-traditional field medical scenarios,” said Michael Yip, a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UCSD and one of the study’s lead authors.

In addition to assisting with surgeries, the robots could transport instruments, assist medical staff with daily tasks, and even take on the task of cleaning the operating room after a procedure is complete.

Source: cnn.gr