March 30, 2015 - 11:59 AMT
Google teams with Johnson & Johnson to build surgical robots

Google is continuing to innovate the health sector with a new partnership to develop advanced surgical robotics, Digital Spy reports.

Johnson & Johnson has announced that its Ethicon medical device arm will collaborate with Google's Life Science team on the project.

The plan is to create a robotic-assisted surgical platform to improve health care and help surgeons by combining Google's expertise with Ethicon knowledge and intellectual property.

Surgeons will still have ultimate control over what surgical procedures to make, while the platform acts as a supportive tool.

"Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses technology to give surgeons greater control, access and accuracy during the surgical procedure while benefitting patients by minimising trauma and scarring, enabling accelerated post-surgical healing," Johnson & Johnson said in a statement.

"The companies seek to develop new robotic tools and capabilities for surgeons and operating room professionals that integrate best-in-class medical device technology with leading-edge robotic systems, imaging and data analytics."

The move marks Google's latest step into health, following its Google Fit health-tracking platform.