Articles tagged with "surgical-robots"
Kuwait–Brazil link sets 7,456-mile world record in robotic surgery
On September 23, 2025, a groundbreaking robotic surgery was performed linking Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital in Kuwait with Hospital Cruz Vermelha in Brazil, setting a new world record for the longest distance between a surgeon and patient during a robotic operation at 12,034.92 kilometers (7,456 miles). Surgeons successfully conducted two-way robotic surgeries—first from Kuwait to Brazil, then from Brazil to Kuwait—carrying out inguinal TAPP hernia repairs with high precision and no reported complications. This achievement was made possible by a purpose-built, high-bandwidth international network delivering an average latency of 199 milliseconds, 80 Mbps bandwidth, and minimal packet loss, ensuring near real-time responsiveness despite the vast distance. The operation demonstrated the potential of advanced telecom infrastructure to support latency-sensitive healthcare applications globally, highlighting the importance of engineered connectivity with redundancy and diverse routing to maintain uninterrupted performance during critical procedures. The collaboration involved multidisciplinary teams of surgeons, scientists, and engineers, showcasing how
roboticsremote-surgerytelemedicinerobotic-surgeryhealthcare-technologysurgical-robotsmedical-roboticsDistalmotion raises $150M to accelerate U.S. adoption of DEXTER surgical robot - The Robot Report
Distalmotion SA has raised $150 million in a Series G funding round to accelerate the commercial adoption of its DEXTER soft-tissue surgical robot in the U.S., particularly targeting the rapidly growing ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market. The company plans to use the capital to support ongoing clinical trials and product development. Founded in 2012 as a spinout from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Distalmotion aims to expand access to minimally invasive robotic surgery with its mobile, easy-to-use DEXTER system, which is designed to fit into operating rooms of any size without requiring modifications. The DEXTER system features fully wristed, single-use robotic instruments that enhance surgical dexterity and precision, and its sterile console allows surgeons to remain close to patients for improved workflow and communication. It supports flexible transitions between laparoscopic and robotic techniques and is compatible with existing and future operating room technologies. Commercially available in both the U.S. and Europe, the system
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyminimally-invasive-surgeryhealthcare-roboticsrobotic-surgery-systemssurgical-innovationNeocis unveils upgraded Yomi S robotic system for dental implants - The Robot Report
Neocis has introduced Yomi S, an upgraded version of its robotic system designed for dental implant surgery. The system incorporates YomiPlan, an AI-driven software that enhances surgical precision, streamlines workflows, and improves patient outcomes by reducing incisions and surgical time, which in turn shortens recovery periods and lessens discomfort. Yomi S features a smaller footprint, improved dexterity, enhanced visibility, and an AI-powered planning suite that automates complex preoperative tasks. It can be operated by a single practitioner using a foot pedal and touchscreen, reflecting Neocis’s focus on usability and efficiency in dental procedures. Despite the large potential market—nearly 200 million Americans missing at least one tooth and a significant number of older adults needing full arch replacements—robotics remains rare in dentistry. Neocis’s CEO, Alon Mozes, highlighted that dental robotics faces unique challenges, including a fragmented market with many small dental supply companies, limited venture capital investment, and slower R&D compared
roboticsdental-roboticssurgical-robotsAI-in-healthcaremedical-technologyrobotic-surgerydental-implantsSovato closes Series B funding to advance telesurgery - The Robot Report
Sovato Health Inc., a Santa Barbara-based company specializing in remote and robotic surgery, has closed its Series B funding round, raising a total of $41 million to scale its telesurgery platform. Co-founded by Cynthia Perazzo and surgical robotics pioneer Yulun Wang, Sovato aims to address the global shortage of timely, safe surgical care by enabling physicians to remotely operate any surgical, interventional, or diagnostic robotic system through its system-agnostic platform. The company emphasizes that its technology supports a hub-and-spoke model, extending expert surgical care across vast distances, and has demonstrated safety and feasibility in preclinical cases conducted over hundreds to thousands of miles both in the U.S. and internationally. The Series B round was led by growth-stage venture capital firm Beringea, with participation from existing investors including Polaris Partners, Intuitive, GS Ventures, Laerdal Million Lives Fund, Puma Venture Capital, and Teladoc Health. Sovato plans to use the funding to accelerate platform development
roboticstelesurgeryremote-surgerymedical-roboticshealthcare-technologyrobotic-surgery-platformsurgical-robotsSurgical robots take center stage at DeviceTalks West, RoboBusiness - The Robot Report
The article highlights the prominence of surgical robotics at the upcoming DeviceTalks West and RoboBusiness events, held concurrently at the Santa Clara Convention Center on October 15-16. Surgical robots, recognized as a leading application of robotics and AI in healthcare, will be the focus of multiple sessions covering topics such as intellectual property protection, modern surgical robot suites, and the evolution from teleoperation to autonomous humanoid surgical robots. Notably, Intuitive Surgical’s senior VP Iman Jeddi will deliver a keynote on the redesign and launch of the da Vinci 5 system, underscoring ongoing innovation in this field. RoboBusiness 2025 emphasizes the development and commercialization of automation technologies, featuring tracks on design, enabling technologies, AI, and robotics, alongside networking opportunities and a Pitchfire competition. DeviceTalks West will convene top engineers, executives, and innovators to discuss advances in surgical robotics and digital surgery, including new clinical therapies like neurovascular treatment and expanded use in ambulatory surgery centers.
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyhealthcare-roboticsrobotic-surgeryautomationartificial-intelligenceMicrobot Medical closes stock sale with $29.2M raised - The Robot Report
Microbot Medical Inc., a company specializing in advanced robotic technology for endovascular procedures, has completed the final closing of its stock option exercise, raising $29.2 million by selling 13.9 million shares of common stock. Founded in 2010 and based in Hingham, Massachusetts, Microbot offers the LIBERTY Endovascular Robotic System, a single-use, remotely operated device designed to improve precision, safety, and efficiency in neurovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures. The system’s compact, single-use design enables controlled remote operation, potentially lowering procedure costs and enhancing care quality. In addition to the stock sale, Microbot announced a new patent for a modular robotic surgical system featuring a base and multiple interchangeable tool-receiver units, which could broaden LIBERTY’s applicability across various endovascular procedures. The company has issued new short-term Series J preferred investment options with an exercise price of $4.50 per share, potentially raising up to $63 million if fully exercised.
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyrobotic-surgeryhealthcare-innovationendovascular-proceduresMicrobot-MedicalMedical Microinstruments completes first case in neurosurgical trial with MMI Symani system - The Robot Report
Medical Microinstruments Inc. (MMI) has completed the first neurosurgical cases using its Symani Surgical System in a clinical trial sponsored by the Jacobs Institute at Buffalo General Medical Center. The Symani system features a portable cart with a macropositioner and micromanipulators offering seven degrees of freedom, designed to enhance precision in delicate microsurgical procedures. This milestone builds on a 2024 preclinical study and demonstrates the system’s ability to perform highly skilled maneuvers in neurosurgery, potentially surpassing human manual capabilities. MMI aims to expand robotic microsurgery into complex areas such as neurovascular disease treatment, with the goal of reducing stroke, seizures, paralysis, and vision problems. The system combines wristed micro-instruments with tremor reduction and motion scaling and has been used in over 2,000 cases globally, primarily in lymphatic surgery. Although FDA-authorized for general use in the U.S. and CE-marked in Europe, the Symani system has
roboticsmedical-roboticssurgical-robotsneurosurgeryrobotic-surgerymedical-technologyrobotic-microsurgeryEndoQuest Robotics completes first robotic ESD procedure at Mayo Clinic - The Robot Report
EndoQuest Robotics announced that a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic successfully completed the first robotic endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) procedure using its Endoluminal Surgical (ELS) System as part of the multicenter PARADIGM Trial. This trial is designed to evaluate the system for lower gastrointestinal tract procedures. Dr. Norio Fukami, a leading expert in therapeutic endoscopy at Mayo Clinic Arizona, performed the 4 cm colorectal lesion removal under an FDA Investigational Device Exemption pivotal trial. He praised the device for its intuitive use, enhanced surgical control through dynamic traction and counter-traction, and its potential to make complex procedures more straightforward and reproducible, representing a significant advancement in endoluminal therapies. EndoQuest developed the ELS System to address the technical challenges and steep learning curve associated with ESD and other advanced endoluminal procedures, which are limited by conventional flexible endoscopes. Preclinical data from Brigham and Women’s Hospital
roboticsmedical-roboticssurgical-robotsendoscopic-surgeryhealthcare-technologyrobotic-surgeryminimally-invasive-surgeryMicrobot Medical receives first Japanese patent for LIBERTY - The Robot Report
Microbot Medical, developer of the LIBERTY Endovascular Robotic System, has received its first Japanese patent covering the core technology of its compact robotic device designed to drive and manipulate elongate surgical tools. This milestone follows recent patents granted in the U.S., China, and Israel, as well as FDA 510(k) clearance in September. The company aims to expand beyond its initial focus on the U.S. market into strategically important regions like Japan, leveraging FDA clearance to potentially expedite local regulatory approvals and adoption. The LIBERTY system is designed to enhance precision, safety, and efficiency in neurovascular, cardiovascular, and peripheral vascular procedures through remote-controlled, single-use robotic technology. Microbot highlights that LIBERTY’s compact design could reduce procedure costs and improve care quality. Additionally, a recently granted patent for a modular robotic surgical system may enable adapting LIBERTY for a broader range of endovascular applications. To support ongoing development, commercialization, and regulatory efforts, Microbot plans to raise up
roboticsmedical-roboticssurgical-robotsendovascular-proceduresrobotic-surgeryhealthcare-technologymedical-devicesPerformance-guided surgery: Robots in the operating room
The podcast episode of The Robot Report features Dustin Vaughan, VP of R&D for robotics at Asensus Surgical, discussing the company’s strategic focus on the Luna surgical platform. Vaughan highlights how performance-guided surgery, augmented intelligence, and AI integration can improve clinical support and surgical outcomes, particularly emphasizing the promising future of robotics in pediatric care. He also addresses challenges such as regulatory compliance and cybersecurity in advancing surgical robotics. Asensus’s Senhance system was recognized with a 2025 RBR50 award, underscoring its innovation in the field. The episode also covers broader robotics industry news, including Figure AI’s recent Series C funding round that raised its valuation to $39 billion, aiming to mass-produce humanoid robots through its Helix platform and BotQ production environment. This reflects growing investor enthusiasm for humanoid robotics, alongside other companies like UBTECH and Dyna Robotics securing significant funding. Additionally, the podcast reports on the second shutdown of Rethink Robotics, a pioneer in collaborative robots
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-roboticsAI-in-surgeryhumanoid-robotscollaborative-robotsrobotics-researchPerformance-Guided Surgery: Robots in the operating room
The article summarizes Episode 213 of The Robot Report Podcast, featuring Dustin Vaughan, VP of R&D for Robotics at Ascensus, who discusses the company’s focus on performance-guided surgery through their Luna platform. Vaughan emphasizes integrating augmented intelligence to improve clinical support systems, addressing regulatory and cybersecurity challenges, and highlights the promising future of surgical robotics, especially in pediatric care. The conversation reflects Ascensus’s commitment to innovative, cost-effective robotic solutions that enhance patient outcomes and operational efficiency. Ascensus’s Senhance system was recognized with a 2025 RBR50 award, underscoring its industry impact. The episode also includes insights from Anders Beck, VP of Technology at Universal Robots, on evolving collaborative robotics standards, and Scott Kuindersma from Boston Dynamics on robotics research. The news segment covers major industry developments: Figure AI becoming a robotics unicorn with a $39 billion valuation after its Series C funding, aiming to produce 100,000 humanoid robots in four years; and the shutdown of R
roboticssurgical-robotsAI-in-healthcarehumanoid-robotsrobotics-researchcollaborative-robotsautomation-in-surgeryHow robotics is transforming healthcare, inside and outside the operating room - The Robot Report
The article discusses how robotics is increasingly transforming healthcare both inside operating rooms and throughout hospital environments, addressing critical challenges such as workforce shortages and budget constraints. By 2030, a global shortage of at least 10 million healthcare workers is expected, with the U.S. facing a significant physician deficit by 2036. Hospitals, especially in rural areas, are also grappling with tighter budgets due to federal funding cuts. Robotics, including automated guided vehicles for logistics and advanced surgical robots, offers a way to alleviate these pressures by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing surgical capabilities. Surgical robotics is becoming more accessible as competition grows and costs decrease, with companies like SS Innovations, Medtronic, and others developing new systems that integrate AI and machine learning. Advances in telesurgery allow expert surgeons to remotely guide or take over procedures, expanding patient access to specialized care and enabling remote training through tele-proctoring. Beyond the operating room, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of logistics robots to reduce staff exposure
roboticshealthcare-roboticssurgical-robotstelesurgeryAI-in-roboticsmedical-technologyrobotic-surgery-systemsIntuitive laying off 331 workers in California
Intuitive Surgical has announced a permanent layoff of 331 employees at its Sunnyvale, California headquarters, effective October 27, 2025. The company filed a WARN notice with California officials on August 21, citing the cessation of graveyard and weekend shifts for the production of its Ion instruments and accessories, along with related logistics and quality operations. These shifts will end on October 23 and 24, 2025, respectively, and the company will transition from a 4×10 to a 5×8 shift schedule for all production teams in Sunnyvale. The layoffs represent just over 2% of Intuitive’s total workforce of 15,638 employees. The majority of affected roles include assembly technicians, manufacturing leads, material handlers, and trainers. The affected positions are tied to the production of the Ion robotic bronchoscopy system, a minimally invasive, catheter-based platform cleared by the FDA in 2019 that enables precise lung biopsies using fiber optic shape sensor technology.
roboticssurgical-robotsIntuitive-Surgicalda-Vinci-systemrobotic-surgerymedical-roboticsworkforce-reductionNew super-thin robot mimics muscle to crawl, twist, and grab objects
Researchers from Samsung Electronics’ Future Robotics Division and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea have developed an ultra-thin, flexible robotic actuator inspired by human muscle protein myosin. Unlike conventional rigid metal robot parts, this paper-thin actuator incorporates a complex three-dimensional pneumatic network with tiny air chambers and multilayered air pathways. When air is injected, these small forces combine to produce strong, multi-directional movements, enabling the robot to bend, crawl, twist, and handle delicate tasks with precision comparable to human fingers. This bio-inspired actuator’s flexibility and strength allow robots to maneuver through tight spaces and perform delicate operations such as surgery or pipeline cleaning. The technology holds promise for diverse applications including surgical robots, collaborative industrial robots, and exploration devices. The actuator’s ability to move objects underwater and interact delicately with humans suggests future robots could be more responsive and capable in sensitive environments. The research, supported by Korean government agencies, was published in Nature Communications.
roboticssoft-roboticsrobotic-actuatorsbio-inspired-robotssurgical-robotsflexible-robotspneumatic-actuatorsSS Innovations surpasses 100 surgical robot deployments
SS Innovations International has surpassed 100 installations of its SSi Mantra surgical robotic systems across India and six other countries, with over 5,000 successful surgeries performed to date, including 240 cardiac surgeries and 32 telesurgeries. The SSi Mantra 3 system features more than 40 types of robotic endo-surgical instruments catering to various specialties, emphasizing affordability, accessibility, and ease of use. The company aims to expand its global footprint, planning to submit a De Novo application to the U.S. FDA by July 2025 and pursue CE marking certification in the European Union by late 2025. Recently, SS Innovations completed a pioneering robotic telesurgery for weight loss, performing two One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) procedures remotely over a 560-mile distance between Gurugram and Indore, India. The surgeries were conducted with zero perceptible lag and flawless precision, led remotely by Dr. Mohit Bhandari, a leading
robotsurgical-robotsrobotic-surgerytelesurgerymedical-roboticsSS-Innovationshealthcare-technologyHumanoid robots show promise in surgery as hospital strain grows
A recent study by University of California San Diego researchers demonstrates the potential of humanoid surgical robots to alleviate physician burnout and reduce hospital wait times amid growing healthcare system strains. The team developed a bimanual teleoperation system for the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, equipped with Inspire Gen4 robotic hands, allowing a human operator to remotely control both arms for diverse medical tasks. Tested across seven procedures—including physical exams (such as auscultation and Leopold maneuvers), emergency interventions (like Bag Valve Mask ventilation and endotracheal intubation), and precision needle insertions—the robot showed promising ability to replicate key medical assessments and interventions. The system employs impedance control and a virtual spring-damper mechanism to ensure safe, precise, and coordinated bimanual movements, with operator inputs captured via foot pedals, HTC Vive trackers, and cameras. Despite these advances, challenges remain, notably limited force capacity for high-strength procedures and sensor sensitivity constraints affecting accuracy. The study highlights that current surgical robots tend
robothumanoid-robotssurgical-robotsteleoperationmedical-roboticshealthcare-technologyrobotic-surgeryDistalmotion makes its first multirobot sale in the U.S. - The Robot Report
Distalmotion has achieved its first multirobot sale in the U.S. with AdventHealth, a large healthcare system operating 50 hospitals across nine states, adopting its DEXTER robotic surgery system to expand minimally invasive procedures. AdventHealth has already completed initial surgeries using DEXTER in its outpatient department, highlighting the system’s alignment with goals for flexibility and efficiency. The DEXTER system, developed by the Lausanne-based company with U.S. offices in Cleveland, is commercially available in both the U.S. and Europe and is designed to simplify operations and broaden access to robotic surgery, particularly in outpatient hospital departments and ambulatory surgical centers. The DEXTER robot addresses the rising demand for surgical robotics in high-volume soft-tissue procedures moving to outpatient settings by offering a mobile, compact, and quickly deployable system that integrates easily into existing workflows. Unique features include a sterile console that allows surgeons to perform bedside tasks without breaking sterility or redocking, and an open architecture compatible with existing instruments
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyhealthcare-innovationrobotic-surgeryminimally-invasive-surgeryhospital-technologyNHS plans to cut waitlist times by expanding access to robotic surgeries - The Robot Report
The NHS of England has announced ambitious plans to significantly expand the use of robotic surgery over the next decade to reduce waiting times and improve patient outcomes. By 2035, the NHS aims to perform half a million robotic operations annually, a substantial increase from 70,000 in 2023-2024. Robotic surgery, particularly in keyhole procedures, is expected to become the default approach for 90% of such surgeries, up from 20% today. This expansion is part of the NHS’s broader commitment to shorten elective waiting times by 2029, leveraging advanced technology to increase surgical capacity, enhance precision, and promote faster patient recovery with shorter hospital stays. Robotic surgery offers several advantages over traditional methods, including greater dexterity for surgeons and less physical strain, as surgeons operate instruments via a console with 3D visualization. The technology has broadened beyond its initial focus on urological cancer surgeries to include colorectal, gynecological, ENT, and orthopedic procedures. Some robotic systems
roboticsrobotic-surgeryNHShealthcare-technologymedical-robotssurgical-robotskeyhole-surgery