PUMA 560

surgical robot

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The PUMA 560 was the first surgical robot, utilized in 1985 for a stereotactic brain biopsy. This procedure used computed tomography to guide the robot's needle insertion, reducing errors from human hand tremors. Robotic surgery, in general, involves machines guided by doctors to perform surgical procedures. While the term "robot" originated from a 1921 play, its application in medicine aims to enable minimally invasive incisions, improve surgical dexterity, and allow for remote operations. Despite advancements, concerns about cost and equipment flaws persist.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

robotic surgery
Historical developments
The first surgical robot, PUMA 560, was used in 1985 in a stereotaxic operation, in which computed tomography was used to guide the robot as it inserted a needle into the brain for biopsy, a procedure previously subject to error from hand tremors during needle placement. In 1988 PROBOT,…
Read More
The first surgical robot, PUMA 560, was used in 1985 in a stereotaxic operation, in which computed tomography was used to guide the robot as it inserted a needle into the brain for biopsy, a procedure previously subject to error from hand tremors during needle placement. In 1988 PROBOT,…
Read More