AI and humanoid robots might be used to assist surgery teams with low-risk tasks initially, before progressing to more complex responsibilities.
This is according to the authors of a recent publication in the journal npj Digital Medicine, which explores the prospects of integrating humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence (AI) into surgical workflows in operating rooms.
They write: ‘The next leap in surgical innovation may not come from refining precision but from embodied AI transforming the operating room (OR) itself.’
The paper, authored by Julius M. Kernbach, Gabriel Brat, Eric J. Topol, and Pranav Rajpurkar, outlines a staged framework for deploying these systems to support surgical teams.
While current evidence on safety and clinical benefits is limited, the authors suggest that humanoid robots could assist by:
- Handling supplies
- Managing equipment
- Maintaining sterile conditions
- Preparing operating rooms in response to visual or verbal instructions.
They suggest that these systems are intended to complement human expertise rather than replace it, and that phased deployment, validation, and oversight are necessary before routine use.
Looking ahead, the authors envision embodied AI moving beyond precision enhancement to actively support surgical workflows, with general-purpose humanoids initially performing teleoperated or supervised low-risk tasks before progressing to more complex roles in real-world settings.
Industry investment has accelerated development toward capable general-purpose systems, which may first be tested in laboratories and then in low-risk perioperative tasks.
As humanoids take on higher-risk assistive roles, they could improve efficiency, reduce disruptions, and alleviate staffing pressures in the operating room.
The authors discuss technical, safety, regulatory, and ethical challenges, emphasising that the next breakthrough in surgical innovation could stem from AI systems transforming the entire operating environment.
They also highlight the potential of staged deployment models to integrate anthropomorphic AI safely and effectively into surgical practice, ultimately shaping the future of surgical care.
