NASA turns again to robotic surgery - with Robonaut 2

After 40 years, NASA is turning back to the idea of telerobotics in space through its most advances telerobotic interface, Robonaut 2.

"Robonaut 2, NASA's humanoid robot currently inhabiting the International Space Station, hasn't done much exciting work up there since its arrival three years ago.

But according to a doctor at Houston Methodist Hospital who has been training the robot on telemedicine, the plan is to equip NASA's space-age machine to eventually perform surgery.

"The idea is for him to be the best medic, nurse and physician," Dr. Zsolt Garami told the BBC. "Our plan is to use Robonaut as a telemedicine doctor in remote areas." That would include space.

Robonaut 2, a collaboration between NASA, General Motors and Oceaneering Space Systems engineers, arrived at the International Space Station in 2011 on space shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-133 mission."

d
Source: CBSNews, BBC, Yahoo News