Your Surgeon Is...A Google Robot?

Google has invested heavily in robotics in recent years, and now it's taking things a step further — into the operating room.

The Web giant has partnered with Johnson & Johnson on a new project aimed at advancing surgical robotics. In other words, Google is developing robots that can perform surgery (or at least assist with the operation).

Google's Life Sciences team will be working with Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon medical device company on the effort. The companies plan to bring together their intellectual property and expertise to create "an innovative robotic-assisted surgical platform capable of integrating advanced technologies," Johnson & Johnson wrote in a news release announcing the collaboration.

The goal is to improve healthcare in the operating room, benefiting surgeons and patients alike.

Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery during which technology is used to give surgeons greater control, access, and accuracy, Johnson & Johnson explained. This usually results in less trauma and scarring, as well as faster post-surgical healing.

Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to close during the second quarter of 2015.

"This collaboration with Google is another important step in our commitment to advancing surgical care, and together, we aim to put the best science, technology and surgical know-how in the hands of medical teams around the world," Gary Pruden, worldwide chairman of the global surgery group at Johnson & Johnson, said in a statement. 

In December 2013, Google acquired robot maker Boston Dynamics, which has produced some impressive (and terrifying) robotic animals.

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Meanwhile, Google isn't the only major tech firm looking to employ robots in the real world. Amazon is planning to host a contest next month to find robotic solutions to certain warehouse woes. Teams will be required to present robots that can retrieve items from a shelf and successfully package them for shipment, for a $25,000 grand prize.

As for Google's health efforts, the search giant is also working on a smart contact lens that could help improve eye care and manage diseases like diabetes.

For more, check out our slideshow above of The 8 Companies Behind Google's Robot Army.