Abstract: Robotic medical systems can be capable of contact sensing and contact reaction. A robotic medical system can include a robotic arm and one or more sensors. The robotic medical system can be configured to detect, via the one or more sensors, a contact force or torque that is exerted on the robotic arm by an external object. In response to detecting the contact force or torque, and in accordance with a determination that a magnitude of the contact force or torque is between a lower contact force or torque limit and an upper contact force or torque limit, the robotic medical system can enable a first set of controlled movements on the robotic arm in accordance with the detected contact force or torque.