Surgical robots: history, applications and future prospects

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide details of the development and applications of surgical robots. Design/methodology/approach Following a short introduction, this first provides a historical background to surgical robot developments. The following sections discuss applications, specialised systems and their uses, remote telesurgery and a short consideration of future prospects. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn. Findings Catalysed by the needs of NASA and the US Department of Defence, robotic surgery was first conducted in the 1980s with modified industrial robots and the first dedicated surgical robots emerged commercially in the 1990s. These allow surgeons to conduct minimally invasive procedures which lead to significant patient benefits. Advances in communications have enabled long-range telesurgery based on commercial networks. In 2024, a telesurgical technique was conducted on simulated tissue on the International Space Station. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality and virtual reality will enhance the capabilities of future systems as well as contributing to improved surgeon training. In the longer term, AI-assisted surgery may be conducted with limited human intervention and full automation of certain procedures may ultimately arise. Originality/value This provides a detailed account of surgical robot developments and applications from their inception in the 1980s to the present day.