Welcome! In this post, I‘ll provide an in-depth look at the 10 biggest surgical and medical robotics companies worldwide.
The surgical robotics industry has seen tremendous growth recently. These advanced technologies are revolutionizing how medical procedures are performed across specialties.
I‘ll share details on the pioneering companies leading the charge. You‘ll learn about their key innovations, top products, financials, and more.
Let‘s dive in and explore the major players propelling the surgical robotics revolution.
#10 Zimmer Biomet – $7.9 billion in 2021 Revenue
- Founded in 1927, Zimmer Biomet is a leading medical device company specializing in orthopedic reconstructive implants, sports medicine, surgical robots, and related technologies.
- Headquarters: Warsaw, Indiana
- Employees: 19,000+
The company was formed in 2015 from the $14 billion merger of Zimmer Holdings and Biomet. This created one of the world‘s largest orthopedic powerhouses.
Zimmer Biomet is best known for its flagship ROSA® Knee System, an advanced robotic arm solution for knee replacement surgery.
- Over 33,000 knee procedures have been performed with the ROSA robot worldwide as of 2021.
The ROSA platform offers complete pre-operative planning, precision bone sculpting, and cutting edge navigation assisting surgeons through total and partial knee arthroplasty.
Benefits of the ROSA knee robot:
- Enhances implant fit, placement, and alignment accuracy
- Less variability compared to manual techniques
- Patients experienced faster recovery in clinical studies
- Saves costs associated with length of stay, readmissions etc.
Zimmer Biomet also markets the ROSA® Brain for neurological procedures and the ROSA® Spine for minimally invasive robotic spine surgeries.
With its innovative surgical robotics technologies and orthopedic leadership, Zimmer Biomet continues to be a major player advancing healthcare.
#9 Renishaw – $849 million in 2021 revenue
- British engineering company founded in 1973, specializing in precision measurement, additive manufacturing, spectroscopy, and healthcare solutions
- Global workforce of over 5,000 people
- Headquartered in Wotton-under-Edge, UK
A lesser known name, Renishaw has nonetheless made big waves in surgical robotics. It‘s a global leader in smart robotic platforms for neurological procedures.
Renishaw‘s key innovation is the neuromate® stereotactic robot, specially designed for functional neurosurgery.
- Over 70,000 neurological procedures worldwide have utilized a neuromate system
This robot allows neurosurgeons to implant electrodes and deliver therapy with utmost submillimeter precision, even on brain structures only 5mm wide.
The neuromate integrates with advanced planning software and microscope-mounted tools for a streamlined workflow. Key benefits include:
- Micron-level accuracy and repeatability
- Reduced procedure time and complications
- Enhanced access even to deep, hard-to-reach brain targets
Renishaw also produces specialized instruments like the neurolocate® arm, software suites, and more complementing the neuromate platform.
Though not a household name, Renishaw remains a big player bringing robotics to the brain surgery space.
#8 Stereotaxis – $28.2 million in 2021 revenue
- Public medical tech company founded in 1990
- Headquarters: St. Louis, Missouri
- Staff: 106 employees as of 2021
Stereotaxis pioneered the integration of magnetics, robotics, and imaging into interactive cardiology devices. Their mission is to make complex cardiac procedures safer, less invasive, and more efficient.
The company‘s key innovation is the Genesis RMTM Robotic Magnetic Navigation system for ablation and interventional cardiology procedures.
This robot allows physicians to remotely navigate disposable interventional devices like catheters and guidewires through the patient‘s vasculature and heart.
The benefits of Stereotaxis‘s tech include:
- Precise instrument control even in hard-to-reach anatomies
- Reduced x-ray exposure for physician and patient
- Shorter and more efficient procedures
- Remote device manipulation reduces physician fatigue
Over 100,000 procedures have been performed using Stereotaxis‘s robotic magnetic navigation technologies.
The company continues to innovate in the cardiology space with new partnerships and advancements like the VdriveTM robotic navigation system.
#7 Auris Health – $73.3 million in 2021 revenue
- Founded in 2007 as Auris Surgical Robotics
- Headquartered: Redwood City, CA
- Employees: 345+
Auris Health is pioneering the future of robotic pulmonary medicine with their FDA-cleared Monarch Platform.
This cutting-edge flexible robotics technology is designed specifically for lung diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
It combines robotic endoscopy, micro-instrumentation, and software analytics to offer unprecedented performance reaching peripheral lung lesions unreachable through manual means.
Key benefits of the Monarch Platform:
- Earlier lung cancer diagnosis
- Reduced risk of complications
- Greater access – reach beyond anatomical barriers
- Precision guidance to even small, complex lesions
- Real-time tissue analysis and visualization
Auris Health aims to transform the paradigm for lung cancer detection and intervention. Their robotic technology has vast potential to improve patient outcomes through earlier diagnosis and access to previously unreachable lung regions.
The company continues innovating and has a robust pipeline including their SymphonyTM lung cancer early detection solution.
#6 Globus Medical – $958 million in 2021 revenue
- Leading musculoskeletal company founded in 2003
- Headquarters: Audubon, Pennsylvania
- Staff: 2,000+ employees
Globus Medical made waves with the 2019 launch of their ExcelsiusGPSTM Integrated Robotics Technology – an image-guided intelligent robotics system for complex spine, orthopedic, and neurosurgery procedures.
This platform features a robotic arm for precise instrument positioning, navigation for anatomy mapping and tracking, and smart imaging and instrumentation.
Key benefits for surgeons:
- Streamlines surgical workflow from planning to execution
- Flexibility remains completely under surgeon control
- Enhanced accuracy, consistency, and precision
- Reduces exposure to radiation
- Analytics module optimizes surgical techniques
Over 20,000 procedures have already used ExcelsiusGPS technology including spine fusions, fractures, biopsies and more. Additional applications are under development as Globus aims to expand access to advanced orthopedic robotics.
#5 Medtronic – $30.1 billion in 2021 revenue
- World‘s largest medical device company, founded in 1949
- Global workforce of over 90,000 employees
- Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
Medtronic offers a range of advanced robotic surgery systems serving multiple specialties. Their HugoTM RAS system exemplifies Medtronic‘s multidisciplinary strategy.
Cleared by the FDA in 2021, HugoTM is a modular robot-assisted surgery platform designed for urologic and abdominal procedures like prostatectomy and hysterectomy.
- It has endoscopic capabilities ideal for gynecology, colorectal, and general soft tissue surgeries.
Hugo was specifically engineered to be usable across operating rooms and adaptable across surgeries within a hospital system. Benefits include:
- Modular components for flexibility
- Improved ergonomics and control for surgeons
- Computer and robotic assistance for steadier instrument maneuvers
- Precision monitoring with Optical Shape Sensing technology
- Open ecosystem integrates various existing tools
Medtronic also produces the Mazor XTM Stealth robotic system for spine surgery and the Einstein vision system for ENT procedures.
With its combination of scale and innovation, Medtronic is sure to remain a major player in medical robotics.
#4 Johnson & Johnson – $82.6 billion in 2021 revenue
- Global healthcare giant founded in 1886
- Around 140,000 employees worldwide
- Headquarters: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Within its massive Medical Devices division, Johnson & Johnson has an advanced portfolio of surgical robotics under subsidiary Biosense Webster.
Biosense Webster pioneered 3D electroanatomical mapping over 25 years ago. Today, their innovative CARTO® 3 System offers real-time cardiac visualization for complex ablation procedures.
This state-of-the-art technology combines:
- High-resolution 3D anatomical models
- Precision location sensing
- Electrical mapping to pinpoint arrhythmia sources
- Robotic catheter maneuverability
Over 650,000 procedures worldwide have used CARTO 3 to treat heart conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Benefits include:
- Faster and more accurate arrhythmia mapping
- Reduced x-ray exposure
- Shorter procedure times
- Low overall complication rates
With innovative products like CARTO 3 in its portfolio, Johnson & Johnson‘s scale makes it an unstoppable force expanding medical robotics.
#3 Stryker – $17.1 billion in 2021 revenue
- Fortune 500 medical technology company founded in 1941
- 40,000+ employees
- Headquarters: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Stryker is a pioneer in joint replacement surgery. Their Mako System revolutionized the field as the first robotic technology cleared for total knee arthroplasty.
This Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery platform allows surgeons to pre-plan procedures and precisely execute cuts, sparing surrounding soft tissues.
For patients, Mako delivers:
- Better functional outcomes and satisfaction
- Less pain and faster start to recovery
- Lower risk of complications or readmissions
The Mako System also provides data-driven insights to help surgeons continually improve technique.
- Over 1 million joint replacements worldwide have utilized Mako robotics.
Stryker is also exploring Mako applications for hip, spine, and other procedures. The company aims to drive consistency and surgical expertise in every operating room.
#2 Smith & Nephew – $5.21 billion in 2021 revenue
- UK-based multinational medical equipment company founded in 1856
- More than 16,000 employees globally
- Headquarters: London, England
Smith & Nephew is advancing a new generation of handheld surgical robotics. Their CORITM system represents a breakthrough portable platform for orthopedic procedures.
Integrating a small power-driven surgical arm, CORI enables precise planing and removal of bone and cartilage. This enhances reproducibility and accuracy during knee arthroplasty.
Benefits of CORI include:
- Intuitive handheld design controlled by surgeon
- Better implant fit and reduced outliers
- Decreased surgical variability and instrumentation
- Real-time visualization and AI-powered evaluation
- Applicable across a range of procedures
Over 600 surgeons globally have been trained to use CORI since its 2019 launch. Additional applications in shoulder, hip, and trauma surgery are being explored.
Smith & Nephew aims to drive a paradigm shift, taking surgical robotics directly to the point-of-care.
#1 Intuitive Surgical – $5.71 billion in 2021 revenue
- Pioneering medical robotics company founded in 1995
- Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California
- Over 7,500 employees globally
When it comes to surgical robots, Intuitive Surgical stands alone at the top. Their da Vinci Surgical System sparked the medical robotics revolution.
With over 6,500 systems worldwide, da Vinci has been used in over 8 million minimally invasive procedures since its 1999 FDA approval.
The da Vinci provides surgeons with superior:
- 3D HD visualization
- Precision and control
- Dexterity and range of motion
- Ergonomic comfort
These features enable complex surgery through tiny incisions with better outcomes compared to open or laparoscopic techniques.
The da Vinci can be used across gynecology, urology, general, colorectal, thoracic, and other specialties. Intuitive has an extensive R&D pipeline advancing its capabilities.
With its vast installed base and ecosystem, Intuitive Surgical will continue to dominate medical robotics technology and drive future growth.
The Surgical Robotics Landscape
This list highlights the major global players bringing robotics platforms into healthcare across specialties.
While the competition is fierce, the market potential is still massive. According to analysts, the global surgical robotics sector could reach $20 billion by 2026.
For companies big and small, the possibilities remain exponential as AI, navigation, connectivity and other supporting technologies keep advancing.
Surgical robotics promises to transform how we detect, diagnose, and treat medical conditions – unlocking better, less invasive care for more people worldwide.
The pioneering companies featured here will lead the medical robotics revolution through the next decade and beyond.
