Global Adoption of Robotic Surgery: A Transformative Journey in Healthcare

Robotic surgery has evolved from a futuristic concept into a core part of modern healthcare. Today, advanced robotic systems assist surgeons in performing delicate, minimally invasive procedures with unprecedented precision and control. These technologies blend engineering, ergonomics and human–machine interaction to enhance visualisation, reduce fatigue and improve clinical outcomes. Robotics is expanding beyond core specialties into areas such as aesthetics, dermatology, dentistry and reproductive health, demonstrating remarkable versatility. Governments and innovators across regions are accelerating adoption, while new entrants continue to challenge established leaders. Despite barriers such as cost and training needs, robotic surgery is steadily transforming patient care.

From Sci-Fi to Surgical Suite

Robotics in healthcare involves the integration of advanced robotic technologies into medical settings to enhance patient care, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. These robotic systems vary in complexity, ranging from automated tools to sophisticated machines that work alongside healthcare professionals or function independently. By improving efficiency, accuracy and patient outcomes, healthcare robotics have revolutionised multiple aspects of medical care.

A few decades ago, the idea of a robot performing surgery would have seemed like science fiction. Today, it is a reality in operating rooms around the world. From modest beginnings in urology and gynaecology, robotic-assisted surgery has blossomed into a global phenomenon, redefining how surgeons approach the human body and how patients experience recovery.

At the heart of this transformation are da Vinci surgical systems, introduced by Intuitive Surgical in the early 2000s. At the beginning of 2023, over 6,700 da Vinci systems were installed globally, enabling more than 10 million robotic surgeries. Surgeons who once made large incisions and relied on manual dexterity alone now guide robotic arms with millimetre-level precision, aided by 3D cameras and AI-powered feedback.

Theoretical Foundations of Robotic Surgery

At a theoretical level, robotic surgery integrates core principles from fields such as kinematics, control theory and human–machine interaction. Robotic arms are designed based on articulated joint models and governed by algorithms that ensure precision, speed and range of motion beyond human limits. Surgeons use master–slave systems, where hand movements are translated into scaled-down, tremor-free actions. The control architecture often includes both feedforward (predictive) and feedback (reactive) loops, enhancing responsiveness. Human factors engineering plays a critical role in ensuring that interfaces are intuitive and ergonomic to reduce fatigue and cognitive load.

Robotics in Orthopaedics

In orthopaedics, Stryker’s MAKO system has revolutionised joint replacements, with over 44% of knee replacements in the US now being robot-assisted. Patients are often able to walk within hours after a surgery. Meanwhile, Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA and Smith & Nephew’s CORI systems are bringing robotic precision to spine and knee procedures. Across Europe, hospitals are adopting CMR Surgical’s Versius, a compact, modular robot designed for flexibility and cost-efficiency, which is already used in more than 20,000 procedures.

These machines are not just advanced technology; they are reshaping surgical outcomes. Surgeons report enhanced visualisation, reduced fatigue and greater control. Patients benefit from smaller scars, less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. In prostatectomies, robotic assistance has become the standard, improving nerve-sparing precision and continence recovery. Robotic hysterectomies, once rare, are now routine in many hospitals, drastically reducing complications and recovery time.

Expanding Into Aesthetic and Non-Core Surgical Fields

Robotic surgery is no longer confined to traditional domains such as urology or orthopaedics. Robotic systems are increasingly being adopted in aesthetic medicine, dermatology, dentistry and reproductive health, expanding both clinical applications and commercial value.

One of the most prominent examples is the ARTAS iX robotic hair restoration system, used for follicular unit extraction (FUE). By 2020, over 700,000 ARTAS procedures had been performed globally, with increasing adoption across the US, the Middle East and East Asia.

Robots automate hair follicle harvesting with micro-level precision, reducing manual errors and recovery time compared to traditional methods.

In cosmetic dermatology, robotic-assisted laser platforms are being piloted for skin resurfacing, wrinkle reduction and tattoo removal. These systems combine robotic-guided lasers with high-resolution imaging and motion tracking to treat sub-millimetre skin targets consistently. Studies show up to 30% improvement in laser delivery accuracy, reducing burns and pigmentary complications.

In dentistry, robotic arms such as Yomi by Neocis, the first FDA-cleared dental surgery robot, assist in placing dental implants. Over 60,000 implants had been placed with robotic assistance as of 2024, and clinical trials have demonstrated increased precision, reduced drilling errors and improved osseointegration outcomes.

In reproductive medicine, robotic systems are used for laparoscopic ovarian drilling, endometriosis treatment and IVF-related tubal surgeries, offering greater precision in delicate reproductive anatomy. Collectively, these innovations underscore the adaptability of robotic systems beyond traditional hospital departments. 

Government Support and Regional Expansion

Governments across various regions are actively investing in the future of robotic surgery. In the UK, the NHS completed approximately 70,000 robotic procedures in 2024 and has set an ambitious goal to scale this number to 500,000 annually by 2035. This initiative also includes a strategic aim for robotic systems to be used in up to 90% of all minimally invasive surgeries by that time.

Meanwhile, India is building its robotic surgery capacity by establishing dedicated training centres, equipping surgeons with advanced skills to support widespread adoption. In China, local players such as MicroPort’s SkyWalker and Tianjin University’s EDGE robotic platforms are emerging as viable competitors to international giants, reflecting a shift towards domestic innovation and self-sufficiency in surgical technology.

New Players and Diversifying Technologies

While Intuitive Surgical has led the market with its da Vinci systems, the competitive landscape is evolving.

• Medtronic’s Hugo RAS system offers modularity and AI-powered analytics, aimed at mid-tier hospitals.
• Asensus Surgical’s Senhance features eye-tracking, haptic feedback and reusable instruments to reduce procedure cost.
• CMR Surgical’s Versius, with its portable modular architecture, is scaling across the UK, India and the Middle East.
• Neocis’ Yomi, targeting dental implantology, is the first and only FDA-cleared dental robot, which has facilitated over 60,000 implants.
• Robocath (France), Meere Company (South Korea with REVO-i) and Medicaroid (Japan’s Hinotori) are also gaining traction regionally.

These systems aim to tackle the limitations of legacy models, i.e. cost, weight and usability, while opening new markets and specialisations.

Challenges on the Path to Widespread Adoption

Despite the technological advances and increasing clinical acceptance, significant hurdles remain:

• Cost: A single da Vinci robot typically costs USD 1.5–2.5 million, with annual maintenance contracts ranging from USD 100,000–200,000.
• Training and Learning Curve: The mastery of robotic systems can take months, and hands-on training infrastructure is still limited in many countries.
• Inequity in Access: Rural hospitals and lower-income countries often lack funding or patient volume to justify the significant investment.
• Clinical Evidence: While robotic systems excel in ergonomics and precision, studies have shown mixed results on whether they significantly reduce operative times or overall costs.
• Vendor Lock-in and Reusability: Proprietary instruments and licensing costs can lock providers into long-term contracts, increasing the total cost of ownership.

Addressing these challenges will be key to broader adoption, particularly as more affordable and modular platforms enter the market.

A Measured Look Ahead

Robotic surgery is no longer a luxury or a pilot experiment. It is a global shift in how we heal. From the factory floors of surgical robotics manufacturers to the sterile calm of operating rooms, a quiet transformation is underway, which is precision-guided, minimally invasive and increasingly integrated into routine care.

Looking ahead, the focus will shift from early adoption to integration and optimisation, ensuring that these technologies deliver measurable value across more procedures, patient populations and geographies.