Scientists and surgeons at the University of California San Diego used a Chinese humanoid robot to perform keyhole surgery and remove organs [1].
This milestone demonstrates the potential for humanoid robotics to increase the accessibility of complex surgical procedures and lower healthcare costs [3]. By integrating remote operation with autonomous capabilities, the trial suggests a future where surgical expertise can be deployed across vast distances.
The procedures took place during a preclinical trial reported on July 10, 2026 [4]. The robot, nicknamed Surgie, was manufactured by Unitree Robotics [1]. During the trials, human surgeons remotely controlled the machine as it performed the operations on pigs [5].
According to reports, the team performed two surgeries [6]. These procedures specifically involved the removal of gallbladders in large pigs [7]. The process utilized a combination of remotely operated and autonomous humanoid functions to navigate the internal anatomy of the subjects [2].
Researchers said that the goal was to test the precision and viability of a humanoid form factor in a clinical setting. Unlike traditional robotic surgical systems that consist of stationary arms, the humanoid robot provides a different approach to movement and interaction within the operating room.
"Your robot surgeon will see you now," John Koetsier said in a report regarding the achievement [8].
“The robot, nicknamed Surgie, was remotely controlled by human surgeons.”
The successful use of a humanoid robot for organ removal marks a shift from specialized, fixed-arm surgical robots toward more versatile, mobile platforms. While these trials were preclinical and conducted on animals, the ability to remotely operate a humanoid machine suggests a path toward 'telesurgery,' where specialists could operate on patients in underserved or remote areas without being physically present.
