Medtronic invests in APAC robotics company to complement Hugo platform

Medtronic has partnered with Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics in a move aimed at expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery worldwide.

Under the agreement, Medtronic will make an approximately US$700 million strategic investment in Cornerstone Robotics and secure rights to distribute the company’s Sentire surgical system in markets outside the U.S.

The partnership comes as the surgical robotics market continues to evolve. In a recent Health Industry Hub podcast, Dr Matthew Kroh, Chief Medical Officer of Surgical Innovations at Medtronic, offered a nuanced perspective of surgical innovation, one that extends beyond the accelerating capabilities of technology to consider the systems, “financial crunch” and clinical realities that determine whether innovation translate into meaningful outcomes.

“There is a disconnect in terms of what we hope to do from a technology standpoint, and what healthcare systems understand they need today and in the future,” Dr Kroh commented.

Bridging that disconnect requires not only continued technological development but also the ability to scale innovation effectively across markets. Through the partnership, Medtronic and Cornerstone Robotics intend to combine Cornerstone Robotics’ technology with Medtronic’s global presence to broaden access to robotic-assisted surgery for surgeons and patients.

“This partnership marks an important step in advancing access to robotic-assisted surgery around the world,” 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 robotic-assisted surgical technologies. At Cornerstone Robotics, we have built a strong foundation through full-stack in-house R&D and vertical integration, enabling us to continuously advance the core technologies of surgical robotics. Our partnership with Medtronic positions us to further accelerate and scale our work to bring the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery to more surgeons and patients around the world.”

The Sentire surgical system has regulatory approval in China and Singapore. In May 2026, it also received CE Mark certification in the European Union, covering minimally invasive general, gynaecologic, thoracic and urologic surgical procedures.

The company established a U.K. subsidiary in 2025, creating a base for professional training, clinical technical support and after-sales service as it expands its international footprint.

“This investment and distribution agreement strengthens Medtronic’s ability to further expand access to minimally invasive surgery to more patients around the world. We’re excited to bring more choice in robotics, and Sentire is a strong complement to our Hugo platform,” said Matt Anderson, Senior Vice President and President, Surgical at Medtronic.

Cornerstone Robotics currently operates three R&D hubs and six business centres worldwide, supported by a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in China.

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