How are surgical robots transforming modern medicine?

The answer

Surgical robots have advanced from surgeon-controlled tools to increasingly autonomous systems. In 2022, Johns Hopkins researchers demonstrated the Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR) performing laparoscopic surgery on pig intestinal tissue entirely autonomously, outperforming human surgeons in consistency and precision. Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system, the market leader with over 8,600 installed systems worldwide, performed its 12 millionth procedure in 2023. The da Vinci 5, launched in 2024, features 10,000 times the computing power of its predecessor and force feedback for the first time. Vicarious Surgical's miniaturized robot enters the body through a single incision with camera and arm capabilities. Medtronic's Hugo system expanded globally with lower costs. Johnson & Johnson's Ottava system features six independent arms. The global surgical robotics market, valued at $7.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $22 billion by 2030, driven by shorter recovery times, smaller incisions, and reduced complication rates.