Humanoid robots successfully perform first surgery

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have successfully performed surgery on a living animal using a pair of humanoid robots for the first time in medical history. Their research paper has been published in the journal Nature.

In the study, two humanoid robots, guided by remotely controlled instructions from surgeons, successfully removed the gallbladder of a living pig using laparoscopic techniques. In the first experiment, one robot worked as an assistant to a human surgeon. In the second experiment, two robots worked together to complete the surgery. Although there was minor bleeding during the operation, the robots, under the surgeons' guidance, quickly controlled the bleeding and successfully completed the procedure.

The robots used in the study were developed based on China's Unitree G-1 model. They are relatively small, lightweight and can be controlled remotely via a specialised console. Compared to traditional surgical robots, these humanoid robots are significantly less expensive and require less space to operate.

According to the researchers, the greatest potential of this technology lies in enabling remote surgeries in areas without specialist doctors, such as remote regions, battlefields, disaster zones or even space. This would make complex surgeries easier to perform even with limited personnel.

However, further research and testing are needed before this technology can be used in human medicine. During the experiments, there were minor delays in remote control signals and the robots occasionally needed recalibration. Nevertheless, the researchers believe that with the advancement of modern technology, these limitations can be quickly overcome, and humanoid robots will play an important role in surgery in the future.