Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Stanford University have developed a surgical robot capable of performing procedures by watching videos of human surgeons. This innovation uses the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic platform often used for minimally invasive surgery, and employs “imitation learning.” Instead of manual programming, the robot learns human surgical skills by observing videos of tasks like needle handling, tissue lifting, and suturing.
The process involves kinematic data, where the AI model translates human movements into math, allowing the robot to replicate these actions. Remarkably, the model can even adapt, such as picking up a dropped needle without explicit programming. Axel Krieger, a senior author of the study, calls it a “significant step forward in medical robotics.”
Robotic surgery, although sometimes intimidating, can offer greater precision than human hands. Autonomous robots could eventually reduce medical errors in complex surgeries, giving human doctors more time to handle unexpected complications. Other researchers are also exploring AI’s potential in healthcare; for instance, an AI-guided robot recently performed a dental procedure without supervision.
The next step for the team is to teach the AI to complete entire surgeries. While human doctors remain essential, AI-powered robotic assistance could soon redefine surgery with improved accuracy and efficiency.
