In a medical first, humanoid robots have successfully performed surgery in an operating theatre, controlled remotely by surgeons. The breakthrough procedure, which took place at the University of California San Diego, marks a leap forward for robotic surgery, according to an expert who spoke to the BBC's Tech Life programme.
The two human-shaped robots, standing and holding equipment, were operated by surgeons from a distance, though the source does not specify the exact distance or the type of surgery performed. The achievement was discussed on Tech Life, a BBC World Service programme, in an episode released on 14 July 2026.
“Humanoid robots, remotely controlled by surgeons, performed surgery in an operating theatre for the first time.”
The episode also features the inventor of the infinite scroll, who shares his latest thoughts on social media. Additionally, the programme explores a carbon capture solution designed to stop large cargo ships from pumping greenhouse gases into the air as they transport goods worldwide.
Tech Life is presented by Shiona McCallum and produced by Tom Quinn. The episode lasts 26 minutes and is available for over a year.
The successful remote-controlled surgery by humanoid robots could pave the way for more advanced telemedicine, potentially allowing expert surgeons to operate on patients anywhere in the world. However, no further details on the procedure, the robots, or the surgeons involved were provided in the source.