The Future of Autonomous Surgery and Fractional Real Estate
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the gist
Andromeda Surgical is developing an AI-driven autonomy layer for robotic surgery, while Mogul offers a platform for fractional investment in single-family rental properties.
The Shift Toward Autonomous Surgery
Nick Damiano, CEO of Andromeda Surgical, argues that surgery is currently in a 'horse and buggy' era, largely untouched by the level of autonomy seen in self-driving cars. Andromeda is building an 'autonomy layer' rather than proprietary hardware, utilizing off-the-shelf robotic arms from KUKA. By focusing on software, the company aims to iterate significantly faster than traditional medtech firms, releasing new features to surgeons on a weekly basis rather than a multi-year cycle.
The 'Sous Surgeon' Model
The current Andromeda system uses an iPad-based interface to assist surgeons, specifically targeting urology procedures like HoLEP. The system provides 'Google Maps for the body,' tracking landmarks and automating pivot points to minimize tissue damage. Damiano frames this as a 'sous surgeon' model, where the AI handles mundane, repetitive tasks, allowing the human surgeon to focus on high-level decision-making. The long-term vision is an 'air traffic control' model where a single surgeon oversees multiple procedures simultaneously.
Data Acquisition and Scaling
A significant challenge in medical AI is the scarcity of training data compared to other industries. Andromeda is building its own dataset through live clinical cases and cadaver labs. Because the human body is more bounded and predictable than the open road—lacking adversarial actors like pedestrians or other cars—Damiano believes the path to full autonomy is achievable, provided they can successfully decompose complex surgeries into repeatable, autonomous tasks.
Fractional Real Estate Investing
Alex Blackwood, co-founder of Mogul, presents a platform that allows retail investors to buy fractional shares of single-family rental homes for as little as $250. The platform aims to democratize access to real estate, which Blackwood identifies as the primary wealth generator for 90% of millionaires. Mogul manages the property operations, providing investors with monthly dividends and exposure to asset appreciation without the typical headaches of being a landlord.