Surgeons at the University of California San Diego have used teleoperated humanoid robots to complete live surgical procedures for the first time, according to a study published in the journal Nature on July 8, 2026.
Two teams, two approaches
In a preclinical trial on large non-primate mammals, a five-foot, 60-pound humanoid robot nicknamed “Surgie” performed laparoscopic gallbladder removals in two configurations: once with a human surgeon assisting remotely, and once with two robots working the procedure together. Both surgeries were completed successfully, the researchers reported. The work was led by Michael Yip of UC San Diego’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Dr. Shanglei Liu of the university’s School of Medicine.
A lighter, cheaper alternative
Today’s dedicated surgical robotic systems weigh roughly 1,800 pounds and require significant operating-room space and infrastructure. The humanoid platform used in the trial is a fraction of that weight, general-purpose rather than surgery-specific, and can in principle be controlled from a distance. “A procedure performed by a teleoperated humanoid robot is just as precise as one performed with a teleoperated surgical robotic system,” Liu said, adding that it comes at “a fraction of the cost” and takes up “a fraction of the space in an operating room.”
The system isn’t yet a drop-in replacement: it required recalibration during the procedures and took longer than existing dedicated systems, and latency between the surgeon’s movements and the robot’s response remains a challenge, the researchers said.
Why it matters
Yip said the goal is to widen access to surgical care in places that lack specialized equipment or surgeons. “Remotely operated and autonomous humanoid robots have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries to which patients would otherwise not have access,” he said. “This can help address the healthcare crisis not only in the United States, but also worldwide.” The team’s next step, Yip said, is working toward a semi-autonomous surgical assistant.