Surgeons Control Humanoid Robots for First Live Pig Gallbladder Surgeries

In a groundbreaking medical experiment, humanoid robots remotely controlled by surgeons successfully performed gallbladder removals on live pigs. This unprecedented operation took place during a preclinical trial published in Nature. The innovative approach showcases a collaboration between human expertise and robotic precision, paving the way for future surgical applications.

Teleoperated Humanoid Robots in Surgery

The surgeries were conducted using the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, developed by the Chinese company Unitree. Unlike traditional autonomous surgical robots, these humanoid machines were operated by skilled surgeons from a distance. According to Shanglei Liu, an assistant professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, this system could provide an affordable alternative for hospitals lacking expensive surgical robotics.

“It’s a fraction of the cost and it takes a fraction of the space in an operating room,” Liu said in an interview. The G1 model, starting at around $13,500, is significantly cheaper than specialized systems like the da Vinci Surgical System, which can cost between $500,000 and several million dollars.

Advantages and Limitations of Humanoid Robots

Unitree's humanoid robots weigh only 60 pounds and stand 5 feet tall, making them suitable for smaller clinical settings. However, there are limitations to their current capabilities. For instance, during the surgeries, the team had to pause frequently to recalibrate the robots, extending the operation time compared to traditional systems.

• Unitree G1 humanoid robot: Starting price $13,500
• Cost of upgrades (e.g., dexterous hands): Over $67,000
• da Vinci Surgical System: Costs $500,000 to several million
• Weight of da Vinci system: Approximately 1,800 pounds

Moreover, the G1's arm span of just 450 millimeters limits its reach, complicating surgeries. The researchers noted that the latency in teleoperated systems could hinder performance, as ideal latency should be below 150 milliseconds.

Future of Humanoid Robot Surgery

Despite the challenges, the research team is optimistic about the potential of humanoid robots in surgical environments. Michael Yip, a professor of electrical and computing engineering at UC San Diego, envisions creating an autonomous surgical assistant to support human surgeons with routine tasks.

“Remotely operated and autonomous humanoid robots have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries,” Yip stated. This technology could address healthcare shortages not only in the United States but globally, although experts agree that fully autonomous surgical robots remain a distant goal.