Medtronic Puts $700 Million Into Surgical Robot Maker Cornerstone Robotics
The medical device giant is buying into a second robotic surgery platform to give hospitals more choice and reach markets where its own system has not yet landed.
Key points
- Medtronic announced a $700 million investment in Cornerstone Robotics on the day of publication.
- Cornerstone's Sentire surgical robot has received regulatory approval in China, the European Union, and Singapore as of May 2026.
- Medtronic's own robotic surgery system, Hugo, is now used in more than 35 countries and received FDA clearance in the United States within the past year.
- Medtronic expects its Hugo platform to exceed 50,000 total procedures globally by the end of its current fiscal year.
- The deal makes Medtronic the only company offering two separate robotic surgery platforms as a combined portfolio.
Medtronic, the Minneapolis-based medical device company, has agreed to invest $700 million in Hong Kong-based Cornerstone Robotics and will distribute Cornerstone's Sentire surgical system in approved markets outside the United States. First reported by The Robot Report, the deal gives Medtronic a second robotic surgery product to sell alongside its existing Hugo system.
Robotic surgery systems are machines that let surgeons operate through small incisions using joystick-style controls and a magnified 3D camera view, rather than opening up a patient with a large cut. Faster recovery times and less scarring make them increasingly popular for procedures on soft tissue, including in gynaecology, urology and general surgery.
Why does Medtronic need two robots?
Different hospitals and healthcare systems want different things. Some want a familiar control layout; others need a system that already has local regulatory sign-off. Medtronic says owning both platforms means it can meet that range of needs rather than lose a sale to a competitor.
Sentire received its CE Mark, the European safety and performance certification, in May 2026, covering minimally invasive procedures in general surgery, gynaecology, thoracic (chest) surgery and urology. It is also approved in China and Singapore. Cornerstone built the system entirely in-house and says it has completed multi-specialty clinical trials.
Hugo, Medtronic's existing platform, is available in more than 35 countries across six continents. Its procedure growth rate is currently more than double the broader robotic surgery market's growth rate, according to the company. Medtronic expects Hugo procedures to top 50,000 globally before its fiscal year closes.
What does this mean for patients?
More hospitals being able to afford or access a robotic system generally means more patients can benefit from smaller incisions and shorter recovery times. Neither Sentire nor Hugo is available directly to consumers; both are sold to hospitals and surgical centres.
For now, the practical effect is that surgeons in Europe, China and Singapore may soon see Sentire appear as an option alongside Hugo at their institutions. Patients should ask their surgeon which system will be used for their procedure and whether it carries local regulatory approval.
Medtronic is also continuing to develop Hugo's software capabilities, including real-time AI assistance integrated into its operating room ecosystem and new surgical instruments.
| Platform | Maker | Approved markets | Procedures (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo RAS | Medtronic | 35+ countries, including US | ~50,000 by end FY2026 |
| Sentire | Cornerstone Robotics | EU, China, Singapore | Post-trial phase |
What happens next?
Medtronic will begin distributing Sentire in approved markets outside the US while continuing to expand Hugo's reach. The company also separately invested $80 million in Pi-Cardia, a heart valve technology firm, the same week, signalling broader surgical investment across its portfolio.
