Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have successfully demonstrated a fully autonomous robot performing gallbladder removal surgery without human intervention. Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning similar to ChatGPT, the Surgical Robot Transformer-Hierarchy (SRT-H) carried out the procedure with remarkable precision. By analyzing 17 hours of surgical videos and learning from 16,000 individual motions, the robot mastered 17 distinct tasks—including identifying vital organs, placing clips, and making precise cuts—all with 100% accuracy across eight test surgeries on pig gallbladders.

What makes this development even more revolutionary is the robot’s ability to adapt in real time. When researchers introduced changes like colored dyes to simulate unexpected surgical variables, the SRT-H adjusted seamlessly. It also responded to voice commands, mimicking the learning curve of a novice surgeon under mentorship. Unlike previous models, such as the STAR system that relied on pre-mapped anatomy, SRT-H dynamically navigates complex procedures based on unique anatomy. While clinical trials are still years away, experts believe this advancement could transform global healthcare—especially in remote regions—by making advanced surgeries more accessible, efficient, and precise, potentially even freeing up surgeons to oversee multiple operations at once.

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SOURCE: Mirror UK