Healthcare systems worldwide are struggling with overcrowded hospitals, physician burnout, and rising surgery delays. The University of California San Diego (UCSD) is looking into humanoid robots as a potential solution. Healthcare systems face significant challenges including overcrowded hospitals, physician burnout, and rising surgery delays. UCSD is exploring humanoid robots as a potential solution to alleviate these issues.
Unlike traditional surgical robots that are expensive and highly specialized, humanoid robots offer more flexibility. This flexibility makes them promising candidates for a wide range of clinical tasks. UCSD equipped a Unitree G1 humanoid robot with Inspire Gen4 robotic hands and developed a bimanual teleoperation system for it. This system allows the robot to perform seven varied medical procedures using remote control operated by a human via foot pedals, HTC Vive trackers, and motion-capture cameras.
The tasks the robot carried out ranged from physical exams like auscultation and palpation to emergency procedures such as Bag Valve Mask ventilation and endotracheal intubation. Some of these tasks required significant precision, like ultrasound-guided injections. While the robot showed promise, there were some challenges with force control and sensor sensitivity. However, it managed to carry out most tasks with accuracy.
For examinations, the robot successfully used a stethoscope and performed basic physical exams. However, sensor feedback and hand design limited its effectiveness. In emergency care, it achieved consistent ventilation, though it required human assistance to maintain the necessary seal and force for intubation. When it came to needle procedures, the robot performed ultrasound-guided injections with a 70% success rate when operated by non-clinicians, demonstrating its potential for training purposes.
Trials revealed issues with needle control and orientation during suturing, indicating that haptic feedback mechanisms need refinement. This is the first major study to integrate humanoid robots into hospital work systems. With aging populations and ongoing labor shortages, these adaptable robots could support routine and emergency tasks in hospital settings. The versatility and remote operability of the Unitree G1 make it particularly appealing for environments requiring rapid response and multifunctional tools.
If you’ve ever faced long waits in an emergency room, struggled to book a specialist appointment, or worried about overworked healthcare providers, this research is worth noting. While humanoid robots like the Unitree G1 are not replacing physicians, they could support them in practical ways. From performing emergency procedures in remote areas to aiding with routine physical exams in crowded hospitals, these robots could ease bottlenecks and enhance care access.
For patients, this could mean shorter wait times, faster treatment, and safer hospital environments where medical teams are less overwhelmed. For families in rural or underserved areas, this technology could offer critical care support where medical staff is scarce. And for healthcare workers, it could provide much-needed relief by taking on repetitive or physically taxing tasks.
Although the technology is still evolving, early results suggest a future where hospitals have robotic teammates, not just tools, helping deliver faster, smarter care. While humanoid robots like the Unitree G1 are not yet ready to fully replace humans, they are proving their capabilities in medical environments. Researchers need to address issues with force control, sensitivity, and dexterity. Once these challenges are overcome, we can expect to see these robots in operating rooms worldwide assisting with surgeries, making our struggling healthcare systems more resilient and accessible.