Hong Kong-based surgical robotics company Cornerstone Robotics has secured an approximately $700 million strategic investment from Medtronic as part of a partnership focused on expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery. Under the agreement, Medtronic will receive rights to distribute Cornerstone Robotics’ Sentire surgical system in select markets outside the US where the system has regulatory approval.
Founded in 2019 by Professor Samuel Au, Cornerstone Robotics develops robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery. Its Sentire platform combines proprietary hardware, control software, algorithms, imaging and energy technologies developed in-house.
Sentire received regulatory approval in China in 2024. In May 2026, the system received European Union CE Mark certification under the Medical Device Regulation and approval from Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority for minimally invasive procedures across general surgery, gynecology, thoracic surgery and urology.
Medtronic plans to distribute Sentire alongside its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, positioning the two platforms as complementary products within its surgical robotics portfolio. The investment follows an approximately $200 million financing round closed by Cornerstone Robotics in November 2025 to support commercialisation and international expansion.
