Musk Predicts Surgical Robots Will Surpass Humans Soon

Robots could soon take over one of the most delicate tasks traditionally reserved for humans: surgery.

In a recent post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Elon Musk predicted that robotic systems will soon outperform human surgeons, citing Neuralink’s advancements in robotic-assisted procedures.

Meanwhile, Medtronic’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system has demonstrated promising results.

As part of the company’s Expand URO clinical study—the largest of its kind in urologic surgery—Hugo supported 137 procedures across multiple hospitals.

The study exceeded its primary safety and efficacy benchmarks, reporting low rates of serious complications: 3.7% for prostatectomies, 1.9% for nephrectomies, and 17.9% for cystectomies—all improvements over historical benchmarks.

Moreover, 98.5% of surgeries were successfully completed using the robotic system, well above the 85% target, with only two cases requiring a switch to alternative methods due to a device issue and patient anatomy.

Brain-Computer Interfaces Are Gaining Ground

Elon Musk’s Neuralink is advancing brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, aiming to empower individuals with paralysis or neurological disorders to control devices using their thoughts.

In its ongoing clinical trials, three participants have received Neuralink implants.

Notably, Brad Smith, the third recipient and the first with non-verbal ALS, has regained the ability to communicate.

Utilising the implant in conjunction with AI, Smith can now operate a MacBook Pro and engage in conversations through a synthesised version of his own voice, marking a significant improvement over his previous eye-tracking communication methods.

As Neuralink continues to explore the potential of BCIs, questions arise about the future role of such technology in medicine.

Will these advancements eventually lead to robots replacing human surgeons, or will they serve to enhance surgical precision and outcomes?

The integration of BCIs and robotics could redefine the boundaries of medical intervention, offering new possibilities for patient care.