03 September 2026 | News
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Cornerstone Robotics, an innovative surgical robotics company based in Hong Kong, announced a strategic partnership with Medtronic , a global leader in health technology. Under the partnership, Medtronic will make a strategic investment of approximately US$700 million in Cornerstone Robotics and will receive the right to market Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire™ surgical system in select markets outside the U.S. where the system is approved.
A shared vision: To close the global supply gap in minimally invasive medicine
Since the prevalence of robot-assisted surgery worldwide is still in the single digits, there is significant potential to make advanced surgical care accessible to more patients, doctors and healthcare systems around the globe.
To tap into this market, both continuous technological innovation and strong market scaling capabilities are essential. By combining Cornerstone Robotics' technology with Medtronic's extensive global presence, the two companies aim to make high-quality robot-assisted surgery accessible to more patients worldwide.
One strategic focus: scaling technological solutions to reach more patients.
Cornerstone Robotics has established a strong strategic foundation through its in-house full-stack research and development and vertically integrated business model. By independently developing its core hardware, control software, advanced algorithms, and proprietary imaging and power platforms, Cornerstone Robotics maintains significant control over product integration, quality, and supply chain resilience. This underpins the exceptional stability and precise performance of the Sentire surgical system in demanding clinical environments.
In 2024, Cornerstone Robotics' Sentire surgical system received approval from the National Medical Products Administration in China. In May 2026, the Sentire surgical system received CE marking in the European Union and approval from the Health Sciences Authority in Singapore; both are valid for minimally invasive general, gynecological, thoracic, and urological procedures.
“This partnership is an important step in advancing access to robot-assisted surgery worldwide,” said Professor Kwok Wai Samuel AU, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics. “There remains a significant gap between the growing demand for minimally invasive surgery and the availability of robot-assisted surgical technologies. At Cornerstone Robotics, we have established a strong foundation through extensive in-house research and development and vertical integration, enabling us to continuously advance core surgical robotics technologies. Our partnership with Medtronic will allow us to further accelerate and expand our work to bring the benefits of robot-assisted surgery to more surgeons and patients worldwide.”
“This investment and distribution agreement strengthens Medtronic’s ability to further expand access to minimally invasive surgery for more patients worldwide. We are excited to offer more robotics choices, and Sentire is a strong addition to our Hugo platform,” said Matt Anderson, Senior Vice President and President of the Surgical Business Unit at Medtronic.
The partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies in advancing their shared mission to make robot-assisted surgery more accessible worldwide.
