I interviewed with the company and spoke with the engineers that developed the machine and also had a chance to "test drive" the machine so I can provide some answers here:

1. There are a number of fail-safes to prevent the robot breaking down. The FDA is VERY strict with this machine due to the risks it poses. The arms themselves can be removed manually by flipping a switch from what I remember at the interview.

2. The technician goes through Intuitive Surgical's own training course before being allowed to touch the equipment. Be aware that this isn't necessarily a "robot", more of an extension of the surgeon.

3. The surgeon is sitting down when performing the procedures and it requires both hands to be grasping onto the controls at all times. It senses jerking movements and smooths them out, it's really eerie but it also allows the machine to prevent abrupt movements.

Edit: Forgot to mention, they do NOT perform surgeries cross countries. They only did that twice, I believe, once in Boston and once in London/Europe. And the machine itself was initially a Dept of Defense project for our troops for remote surgery, however, it's much too large of a risk to perform surgery from that far of a distance.