Overview
- The UC San Diego team reported in Nature that two teleoperated humanoid robots completed two minimally invasive gallbladder removals on large mammals, with one operation done by a human‑robot team and a second done by two robots working together.
- The procedures were fully teleoperated by human surgeons rather than autonomous, using motion mapping, adapters to hold standard instruments, a stereo display and a foot pedal control system.
- The trial exposed clear technical limits: teams paused several times to recalibrate robot arms, the robots’ short reach constrained access to some work areas, and control latency remains higher than targets researchers cite for safe long‑distance teleoperation.
- Researchers highlight potential benefits if mature: the five‑foot, 60‑pound 'Surgie' humanoids are far smaller and cheaper than specialist systems, which could make advanced surgery more practical in rural, austere or space settings.
- The group plans further engineering to reduce latency and improve robustness and says extended preclinical testing, human clinical trials and regulatory clearance will be required before any clinical deployment.