Researchers at UC San Diego have demonstrated the feasibility of using remotely controlled humanoid robots for surgery, performing the first-ever gallbladder removal on live pigs. These robots, based on the Unitree G1 model, were teleoperated by human surgeons, acting as extensions of their own hands. This preclinical trial, published in Nature, explored a less expensive and more compact alternative to existing specialized surgical robots like Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system.

The Unitree G1 robots, costing significantly less than dedicated surgical machines, offer potential for deployment in underserved areas, including rural clinics and potentially even space. Surgeons controlled the robots from a console, with adapted tools and software translating hand motions into surgical actions. While successful, the surgeries took longer than with current systems due to the need for recalibration and repositioning, highlighting challenges in latency and range of motion.

This development represents a step toward human-robot collaboration in medicine, with researchers aiming for future autonomous surgical assistants. However, fully autonomous robots capable of complex procedures remain a distant prospect. The current research focuses on enhancing remote control capabilities, making advanced surgical care more accessible.