In preclinical experiments, US researchers tested two scenarios for using humanoid robots during laparoscopic surgery on pig models. In the first case, a gallbladder removal operation was performed by a team consisting of one remotely controlled robot and a surgeon assisting it. In the second scenario, the procedure was performed by two remotely controlled humanoid robots working together. Both surgeries were successful.
Unlike existing robotic surgical systems, which are designed for a limited set of tasks, humanoid robots are capable of performing a wide range of actions. Researchers believe that in the future, they will not only be able to participate in surgeries but also perform auxiliary duties in the operating room.
Unitree robots stand approximately 1.5 meters tall and weigh approximately 27 kg. They are significantly more compact than traditional surgical systems, which can weigh approximately 800 kg and require a specially equipped operating room and a large team for preparation. To perform surgeries, the researchers equipped the robots with adapters that allow the use of standard laparoscopic instruments.
The precision of surgical manipulations was comparable to the capabilities of specialized remote-controlled surgical systems.
Scientists are continuing to work on reducing the delay between the surgeon's movements and the robot's response, which is especially important for long-distance surgeries.
In the future, humanoid robots will be able not only to perform individual stages of surgeries under the remote control of a surgeon but also to assist medical personnel in situations where there is a shortage of specialists. For example, they will be able to operate in remote communities, disaster zones, search and rescue operations, and other locations where it is impossible to establish a full-fledged surgical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Japan plans to deploy 10 million robots by 2040, most of them in healthcare.
