The Future of Surgical Robotics: Which Medical Specialties Will Lead the Next Wave of Innovation?

Robotic-assisted surgery is no longer experimental — it’s mainstream. General surgery, urology, and orthopedics have widely adopted platforms like Intuitive’s da Vinci and Stryker’s MAKO. But the landscape is evolving, and new specialties, technologies, and startups are reshaping where robotics is headed next.

So, where’s the frontier now? Which specialties and companies will define the next decade of surgical robotics?

Mature Fields with Momentum: Ortho and General Surgery

Let’s be clear: robotics is already entrenched in orthopedics and general surgery.

• MAKO (Stryker) dominates robotic joint replacement, and new spine-focused systems are entering ORs with increasing precision.

• da Vinci (Intuitive Surgical) is widely used in hernia, colorectal, bariatric, and urologic procedures.

But momentum doesn’t mean stagnation. These fields are undergoing their own mini-revolutions:

• Versius (CMR Surgical) and Hugo (Medtronic) are targeting lower-cost robotic systems with greater modularity and flexible OR integration.

• Moon Surgical is innovating with “co-bot” systems designed to assist surgeons without fully replacing tactile control.

• Asensus Surgical is integrating augmented intelligence into laparoscopic platforms with real-time surgical analytics.

What’s at stake now is cost efficiency, AI integration, and streamlined training models — not adoption, but optimization.

1. Interventional Pulmonology: Robotic Bronchoscopy Gains Traction

Why it matters: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death, and early-stage nodules are often located in hard-to-reach peripheral airways.

Two major platforms dominate the robotic bronchoscopy space:

• Ion (Intuitive Surgical) – ultra-thin, shape-sensing robotic catheter with CBCT integration

• Monarch (J&J/Auris) – flexible, robotic bronchoscope with multi-segment articulation

Clinical trials show improvements in diagnostic yield and stability in small lesion targeting. The next leap? Therapeutic robotics — ablation or biopsy-to-treatment workflows in a single procedure.

Startups to watch:

• Noah Medical – FDA-cleared Galaxy System offers portability and real-time imaging

• Field Medical – exploring pulsed field ablation platforms that may extend beyond EP

2. Electrophysiology: Robotics in EP Is Re-emerging

Robotic catheter navigation had limited adoption in the early 2000s due to cost and complexity. But with increasing EP lab volume and demand for precision in complex ablations, robotics may see a resurgence — especially in atrial fibrillation procedures.

Key challenges:

• Integration with 3D cardiac mapping

• Compatibility with RF and pulsed field systems

• Efficiency in case flow

Emerging platforms:

• Stereotaxis – magnetic navigation system for EP procedures

• Robocath – expanding into robotic EP navigation

• Israel- and Europe-based startups – prototyping AI-assisted catheter control

If robotics can reduce fluoroscopy time and improve consistency in lesion delivery, adoption could scale — particularly in high-volume centers.

3. Cardiovascular Interventions: Robotics With Purpose, Not Complexity

The promise of robotics in interventional cardiology has long been clear — enhanced precision, radiation protection, and remote navigation — but adoption has lagged. Why?
Because in high-acuity cath labs, speed and efficiency matter as much as accuracy.

That’s changing.

Corindus (Siemens Healthineers) is leading with its CorPath GRX system, enabling robotic-assisted PCI and now venturing into peripheral and neurovascular procedures. Their long-term goal: remote interventions — think stroke care delivered robotically from miles away.

Key trends to watch:

• Pulmonary embolism and DVT procedures

• Neurovascular thrombectomy, where robotics could reduce time-to-treatment

• Structural heart navigation — mitral and tricuspid interventions may benefit from robotic wire/device control

While robotic PCI still represents a fraction of total cases, the push toward telerobotics and AI-guided navigation may finally tip the balance.

4. Neurosurgery: The Quiet Giant of Robotic Precision

Neurosurgery has quietly integrated robotics, particularly in:

• Stereotactic cranial navigation

• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

• Minimally invasive spine procedures

Emerging platforms:

• ROSA (Zimmer Biomet) – dual cranial and spine robotic navigation

• Synaptive Medical – blending AI, optics, and navigation in neurosurgical workflows

• Monteris Medical – MRI-guided robotic laser ablation platform

Expect further growth as intraoperative imaging, navigation, and robotics converge — especially in tumor resection, where AI-assisted margin detection is under active development.

5. Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Robotics

IR is a natural candidate for robotics due to its emphasis on precision and image guidance. But adoption has been limited by tactile feedback limitations and platform costs.

That’s changing, too.

Players to watch:

• Robocath (France) – CE-cleared robotic platform for coronary and peripheral vascular access

• Microbot Medical – developing a self-cleaning, catheter-based micro-robot

• Corindus – expanding beyond PCI into neuro and peripheral interventions

Expect IR robotics to expand alongside stroke care, embolization, and telerobotics — especially in rural and underserved regions.

Final Thoughts: Robotics Is Entering a New Era

The next chapter of surgical robotics won’t be defined by robots alone. It will be shaped by:

• AI-powered guidance and intraoperative analytics

• Miniaturized co-bots that complement surgeons, not replace them

• Cross-platform interoperability

• Global accessibility and lower-cost innovation

Whether you're a clinician, aspiring rep, or startup founder, understanding where surgical robotics is headed gives you an edge in a fast-moving space.

💡 Interested in a Robotics Module from Device University?

We’re always expanding our training tracks. Should Device University launch a dedicated course on robotics in surgical and interventional specialties?

Drop a comment or send us a message if you’d be interested!

Check out our current course offerings here.