Robotic autonomy in endocrine surgery

An autonomous robot is able to perceive its environment, make decisions and plans, then execute multi-step functions. Although surgical robotic technologies are widely accepted, robotic autonomy has not made its way into the operating rooms of today. As a result, robotic automation is an unfamiliar topic for most surgeons. In this review, we define the spectrum of robotic autonomy, provide a review of key components required for autonomy, and discuss some of the ways in which autonomy may be applied to endocrine surgery in the future. The integration of advanced imaging and surgical environment perception could augment surgical visualization and lead to the development of advanced semi-autonomous and autonomous robotic algorithms. The hope is that advanced robotic surgical technologies can make robotic surgeries safer, more efficient, precise and allow for greater patient access to advanced surgical expertise.