You've heard of the CanadArm, a Canadian built robot that assists astronauts in space.

But what about the neuroArm? That's the Calgary "doctor" who's making medical history.

The remote-controlled device was first used Monday at Foothills Hospital in Cowtown. But unlike other doctors, it didn't start as intern. It began in one of the most complicated fields, brain surgery.

On its first day on the job, the neuroArm successfully removed a benign tumour from a patient. Not a bad start to what researchers hope is a lengthy career.

Its inventors claim it has a steadier hand than a human doctor. One developer, neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland, held the controls as the 'bot performed the procedure.

The patient, a 21-year-old mother, was pleased with the results.

The mechanical device was designed and built in collaboration with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates.

With files from the Calgary Sun and the Canadian Press.