Remote surgery goes mainstream China's Toumai robot wins EU approval after a London doctor operates on a patient 1,500 miles away
Date:
Sat, 27 Jun 2026 11:15:00 +0000
Description:
Chinese firm MedBot has achieved EU approval for its teleoperated surgery robot after a successful prostate cancer operation.
FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter A Chinese medtech firm has gained EU approval for its remote surgery robot Medbots Toumai system can now be moved and marketed freely in the European Union The approval comes after Toumai was used for the UK's first long-distance surgery A Chinese medical technology firm has gained EU approval for its remote surgery robot following its use by a London surgeon to operate on a patient 1,500 miles away in Gibraltar.
Shanghai Microport MedBots Toumai is a three-part remote surgery system that allows doctors and surgeons to perform operations on the abdomen and pelvis. The system is composed of a surgeon console, patient cart, and vision cart, with robotic limbs allowing operators to perform operations. The system uses 5G connectivity to connect the surgeon console to the vision cart over long distances. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:
The approval follows Toumais successful use by a London surgeon to perform
the UKs first long-distance teleoperated surgery, a full prostate removal on
a man with prostate cancer in Gibraltar.
Dr. Proskar Dasgupta performed the operation using the teleoperated system on 62-year old Paul Buxton in March 2026. Speaking to the BBC , Buxton said it was a no-brainer to take part in the experimental procedure and become part
of medical history. You may like This world-first surgery shows the Apple Vision Pro's healthcare potential US Army robots (and AI) look to play a critical role in getting wounded soldiers off the battlefield People are warming up to robots at work - but they don't want them in hospitals or schools The robot will see you now (Image credit: Getty Images) Gibraltar, a small UK territory just south of Spain, has a single hospital within its borders, meaning residents may need to travel 1,500 miles north to the UK for more complex procedures.
However, Toumai and remote surgery systems like it allow patients to be treated by experts without traveling to meet them. Dr. Dasgupta said to the BBC that he felt almost as if I was there while conducting Mr. Buxtons procedure. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
On June 22, Shanghai Microport MedBot announced that the Toumai robotic surgery system had received the CE Mark an EU stamp of approval required to sell products in its common market
As South China Morning Post reports, this allows the system to be "moved and marketed" freely in the EU, meaning the company is free to offer Toumai to healthcare providers in any of the EUs 27 member states.
This will be welcome news for MedBot, which made 73 per cent of its revenue from overseas sales in 2025, up from 20 per cent in 2023. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.
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Link to news story:
https://www.techradar.com/tech/remote-surgery-goes-mainstream-chinas-toumai-ro bot-wins-eu-approval-after-a-london-doctor-operates-on-a-patient-1-500-miles-a way
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