The International Space Station is getting a new surgeon to operate on astronauts. A highly advanced robot surgeon, the new doctor will finally be able to operate on humans in zero gravity.
ISS Robot Surgeon
Dubbed MIRA, miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant, the new robot surgeon will make its way into the ISS in the next couple of years. Developed in Nebraska, the robot is planned to be a mainstay piece of kit for space missions in the future.
In 2024, the robot will be sent up to the ISS to perform its first space surgery. For its first test, the robot will cut through simulated tissue to show off its skills. However, the future could offer unlimited possibilities for the device.
For example, the robot is said to be able to perform operations on the bodies of astronauts in zero-G. For example, scientists say the device will be able to perform an appendix removal on the ISS.
In the future, scientists claim that this robot will be used in multiple missions in space. One example pitched the robot as an emergency surgeon the surface of Mars, removing shrapnel from an explorer’s body.
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How far does this technology go?
Of course, the question with medical robots is how good the technology is and is it safe to use. Medical robots have increased in prominence the past years, but there are still major issues with their on-board AI.
A recent study from John Hopkins proved that medical AI is still based on dangerously biased datasets that are both racist and sexist. Unless these AI programs exist, this will always be an issue.
Nevertheless, the technology is neat, and only needs AI ethics to keep it on track. Perhaps, in the near future, we’ll even see this tech perfected.