Humanoid Robots Complete First Live Surgeries in UC San Diego Preclinical Trial

Executive Briefing

• Achieved first-ever use of teleoperated humanoid robots to complete two live gallbladder surgeries on pigs
• Surgeons remotely controlled modified Unitree G1 robots, costing ~$13,500 each versus Da Vinci's $700K–$3M
• Robots copied surgeon movements precisely, handling tissue dissection and clip placement without autonomous decision-making
• Researchers envision deployment in rural clinics, field hospitals, and future space missions to address surgeon shortages
• Trial exposed challenges including frequent recalibration needs and longer procedure times before human use is feasible