Researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the United States have made a groundbreaking advancement in robotic surgery. They have developed a robot capable of observing the techniques of experienced surgeons and mastering the skills needed to perform complex surgical procedures. According to the researchers, this robot has now achieved a level of proficiency comparable to that of human surgeons.
At the recent Robot Learning Conference in Munich, Germany, researchers revealed that the Da Vinci Surgical System robot was trained using an “imitation learning” method. As a result, the robot can autonomously perform complex tasks like handling needles, lifting body tissues, and stitching. According to the researchers, this method has introduced a new dimension to robotic surgery since it eliminates the need to program each step separately.
Axel Krieger, the lead researcher and assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, said, “The model is remarkably effective. We only provide camera input, and it determines the robotic movements needed for surgery. It can even perform tasks we didn’t explicitly teach. For example, if the robot drops a needle, it can pick it up on its own and continue the procedure.”
Currently, robotic or robot-assisted surgeries are performed under the direct control of doctors. However, this new method enables robots to make decisions on their own. It can even automatically correct mistakes, handling complex tasks independently. According to the research team, the training method for this robot is similar to how large language models like ChatGPT are developed. However, instead of using words or images, videos captured by the robot’s camera during surgery were used. These videos allowed the robot to learn and master various surgical tasks.
Team member Jio Ung Brian Kim explained that the robot is designed to allow doctors to communicate with it directly. For example, commands like “Move left,” “Move right,” or “Do this task” can be easily understood by the robot.
Although this technology is revolutionary, experts warn that it is not entirely risk-free yet. Even a small error could have serious consequences. They believe it will take several years for this technology to fully replace human doctors. Additionally, researchers and experts stress the importance of ensuring the accuracy and safety of the technology.
Source: IndianExpress.com
