Humanoid Robots Complete First Surgeries in UC San Diego Trial

That versatility could matter most in rural and underserved regions, researchers said. Many such areas struggle to recruit surgical specialists. Teleoperated humanoid robots would let an experienced surgeon in a city hospital operate on a patient in a remote clinic without a full surgical team on site. The same technology could be used in disaster zones or temporary medical facilities where transporting a heavy conventional robot is impractical.

Still, the trial revealed clear limitations. The robots required repeated recalibration during the surgeries, making procedures significantly slower than existing robotic systems. Small delays between the surgeon's commands and the robot's movements remain a challenge, especially when the operator and robot are far apart. The operations were performed on large non-primate mammals. Human clinical trials will require extensive testing and regulatory approval before the technology reaches hospitals.

Researchers emphasized the technology is meant to assist surgeons, not replace them. Initial use would likely involve simpler tasks such as suturing or tissue retraction. More complex procedures could follow later, still under continuous human control.

The team plans to publish full results in a peer-reviewed journal later this year. A timeline for human trials has not been set.

For the surgical robotics market, the trial introduces a new variable. Humanoid robots could eventually compete with purpose-built platforms if the challenges of speed and precision are solved. That timeline is measured in years, researchers said, not quarters.