The Rapid Growth of the Surgical Robotics Market and the New Paradigm Created by the Integration of AI Technology
Editor
A New Turning Point for Surgical Robots Integrating AI Technology
As of January 2026, the global medical surgical robotics market is experiencing unprecedented growth, reshaping the landscape of the medical industry. According to the latest report by market research firm Grand View Research, the global surgical robotics market size reached $34.7 billion by the end of 2025 and is expected to reach $39 billion in 2026, maintaining a CAGR of 12.8%. The key drivers of this rapid growth are the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) technology with robotics and the increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries among medical professionals and patients.
A particularly noteworthy change is the emergence of next-generation surgical robots equipped with AI-based autonomous decision-making and support functions, moving away from traditional remote control methods. Intuitive Surgical, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, launched the da Vinci Xi Pro system in April 2025, featuring real-time video analysis and predictive algorithms to detect and warn of potential complications during surgery. Within eight months of its launch, this system was adopted by over 1,200 hospitals worldwide, further solidifying Intuitive Surgical’s technological dominance with a market share of 68%.
In the Korean market, the development and adoption of medical robotics technology are also accelerating. In September 2025, Samsung Electronics unveiled its first surgical robot platform, ‘SAROS (Samsung Advanced Robotic Operating System),’ marking its official entry into the medical robotics market. Based on Samsung’s semiconductor technology and AI capabilities, SAROS is reported to offer 30% improved precision and 40% reduced surgery time compared to existing surgical robots. Clinical trials targeting domestic medical professionals showed that the average surgery time for laparoscopic procedures was reduced from 180 minutes to 108 minutes.
From a market dynamics perspective, the surgical robotics industry is transitioning from a monopolistic structure to a multipolar competitive structure. While Intuitive Surgical still leads the market, major medical device companies like Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, and Stryker in the U.S. are aggressively expanding their market share through investments and mergers and acquisitions. For instance, Medtronic completed the acquisition of Israeli robotic surgery specialist Mazor Robotics in June 2025, securing strong competitiveness in the spinal surgery robotics sector. Through this acquisition, Medtronic achieved a 35% market share in the $1.5 billion annual spinal surgery robotics market.
Market Expansion Driven by Technological Innovation and Clinical Outcomes
The most innovative change in surgical robotics technology is the integration of AI and machine learning algorithms. The latest commercially available surgical robots have evolved beyond simple remote control tools into intelligent systems that analyze surgical processes in real-time and propose optimal surgical paths. The VELYS robotic system developed by Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, uses 3D image recognition and deep learning technology to improve the accuracy of knee joint replacement surgery by 85% compared to previous methods. Clinical results have shown that surgeries using this system reduced patient recovery time from an average of six weeks to 3.5 weeks.
In the field of neurosurgery, the introduction of surgical robots has significantly improved patient safety and surgical success rates. Stryker’s Mako robotic system was used in 470,000 orthopedic surgeries worldwide in 2025, achieving a surgical accuracy of 99.2% and a complication rate of 0.8%, significantly lower than the 3.2% complication rate of traditional manual surgeries. In Korea, major tertiary hospitals such as Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Severance Hospital have adopted various surgical robot systems, performing over 15,000 robotic surgeries annually.
The economic impact of surgical robots is also noteworthy. According to a 2025 study by the American Society of Health Economists, robotic surgeries reduced the average length of hospital stays by 30% and decreased readmission rates due to postoperative complications by 45%. As a result, the total medical cost per patient was reduced by 29%, from an average of $12,000 to $8,500. These economic benefits are a key factor accelerating the adoption of robotic surgeries in healthcare institutions worldwide.
From a technological perspective, the forefront of current surgical robot development focuses on enhancing haptic feedback technology and remote surgery capabilities. The next-generation tactile sensors jointly developed by MIT and Harvard Medical School offer 100 times improved sensitivity, allowing surgeons to accurately detect the hardness and texture of tissues through robotic arms. Intuitive Surgical and Medtronic have signed licensing agreements to commercialize this technology by the second half of 2026.
In the field of remote surgery, the development of 5G networks and ultra-low latency communication technology is making practical remote surgery a reality. In October 2025, a surgeon in Beijing, China, successfully performed a brain tumor removal surgery 3,000 km away in Urumqi, Xinjiang, via a 5G network, demonstrating the new possibilities of telemedicine. The network latency during this surgery was measured at an average of 12 milliseconds, proving that real-time surgery is feasible.
Korea’s medical robotics ecosystem is also growing rapidly. According to a 2025 report by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, the domestic medical robotics market size reached 280 billion won, and it is expected to grow by 21% to 340 billion won in 2026. Through the government’s ‘K-Medical Robot 2030 Project,’ 1.2 trillion won will be invested over the next five years to accelerate the development and commercialization of Korean surgical robots. LG Electronics established a medical robotics division in 2025 and began developing AI-based surgical assistant robots in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital.
Intensifying Global Competition and Future Prospects
The competitive landscape of the surgical robotics market is becoming more intense alongside technological innovation. While Intuitive Surgical recorded annual sales of $7.8 billion in 2025, an 18% increase from the previous year, it faces challenges from new entrants. Notably, China’s MicroPort Scientific and Japan’s Medicaroid are emerging as strong competitors in the Asian market. MicroPort’s Toumai surgical robot achieved a 23% market share in China in 2025, showing rapid growth.
In terms of investment trends, venture capital and strategic investments in the surgical robotics sector are surging. In 2025, global medical robotics startups raised a total of $4.7 billion in investments, an 85% increase from the previous year. Of this, investments related to surgical robots accounted for the largest share at $2.8 billion. Vicarious Surgical in the U.S. raised $350 million in a Series D round, recognizing a company valuation of $1.5 billion, while Israel’s Momentis Surgical secured $200 million for the development of laparoscopic surgical robots.
From a regulatory environment perspective, governments worldwide are strengthening regulatory frameworks to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical robots. The U.S. FDA announced new approval guidelines for AI-based medical devices in 2025, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) improved certification procedures for robotic surgery systems. Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety plans to introduce a separate certification system for medical robots starting in 2026 to support the commercialization of domestic medical robots.
Looking at market forecasts, the surgical robotics market is expected to maintain continuous high growth over the next five years. According to an analysis by Boston Consulting Group, the global surgical robotics market size is projected to reach $78 billion by 2030, representing a CAGR of 15.2% compared to 2026. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to have the highest growth rate at 18.5%, with China, India, and Korea serving as major growth drivers.
In terms of technological development, future surgical robots are expected to evolve into the concept of ‘Augmented Surgery’ rather than fully autonomous surgery. This means that AI will complement and enhance the judgment and skills of surgeons rather than completely replacing the surgical process. Real-time video analysis, predictive analytics, and personalized surgical planning are expected to become core technologies. Additionally, advancements in nanorobotics are anticipated to open new treatment areas such as intravascular therapy and targeted drug delivery.
In conclusion, as of 2026, the medical surgical robotics market is experiencing a dynamic transition with simultaneous technological innovation, market expansion, and intensified competition. The integration of AI technology, the spread of 5G networks, and the support of digital healthcare policies by governments worldwide are positioning surgical robots as essential tools in the medical field. As Korean companies accelerate their technological development and market entry, Korea’s status in the global surgical robotics market is expected to rise. Over the next few years, technological competition and market expansion in this field are expected to accelerate further, ultimately evolving to provide safer and more effective treatment options for patients.
