UC San Diego performs first teleoperated humanoid surgeries

In a significant milestone for medical robotics, researchers at the University of California San Diego have successfully performed two surgeries using teleoperated humanoid robots for the first time. The preclinical trial, detailed in a study published in the journal Nature on July 8, 2026, involved gallbladder removal procedures on large non-primate mammals.

The team conducted two distinct operations. In the first, a humanoid robot performed the surgery while a human surgeon assisted. The second procedure was carried out entirely by two humanoid robots working in unison. Both surgeries were controlled remotely by trained surgeons. The robots, nicknamed "Surgie," stand five feet tall and weigh approximately 60 pounds.

Researchers highlighted the potential of this technology to address critical healthcare access issues. Unlike large, specialized robotic surgery systems that can weigh around 1,800 pounds and require modified operating rooms, the compact and mobile humanoid design is far easier and cheaper to deploy. This makes the robots particularly suited for remote, under-resourced, or challenging environments such as rural clinics, battlefield zones, or even potential future...