AI-based Surgical Robots Market Assessment, By Type [Services, Instruments and Accessories], Application [General Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurology, Urology, Gynecology, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

AI-based Surgical Robots Market Assessment, By Type [Services, Instruments and Accessories], Application [General Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurology, Urology, Gynecology, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global AI-based surgical robots market is projected to witness a CAGR of 17.96% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 4.03 billion in 2023 to USD 15.11 billion in 2031. The AI-based surgical robots market is rapidly expanding due to the growing adoption of technology in surgery, especially AI-based solutions to improve accuracy. Surgical robots are highly specialized in minimally invasive surgeries and with growing demand for such surgeries, AI integration in surgical robots has been a hotbed area for manufacturers. Advancements in machine learning algorithms to enhance clinical outcomes also brought significant growth in the market. AI-based surgical systems can map out approaches to each patient’s surgical needs, guide surgical teams, and even perform certain tasks, such as providing alerts, predictions, and guidance during the operation. Furthermore, increasing collaborations between healthcare providers and technological organizations drive the demand for AI-based surgical robots. Rising investors’ traction for expanding the healthcare segment further expands the scope for future growth.

The cost of single surgical robots ranges in millions, which limits the target market as small hospitals and clinics cannot afford such high costs. Although the market has expanded in recent years, the trust and acceptance of AI in surgery are still challenging. Regulatory compliances related to medical devices and AI integration are still in the development phase across various nations, which raises concerns for manufacturers to tap the market.

In September 2023, US Medical Innovations, LLC, in collaboration with Jerome Canady Research Institute for Advanced and Biological Technological Sciences (JCRI-ABTS), announced the launch of Canady Robotic AI Surgical System, which is the world’s first AI robotic system that delivers cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a three-dimensional non-contact bioelectric pulse electromagnetic field. The product is expected to land on the market in early 2024.

Growing Technical Adoption in Surgeries

The adoption of robotic surgery and digital technologies in surgical procedures is on the rise, driven by various factors such as technological advancements, market growth, and increased accessibility. This rise can be explained by growing access to technology solutions like AI and high throughput clinical outcomes from such solutions. Because of the advantages associated with AI-based surgical robots, such as enhanced efficiency, improved visualization, and minimal invasiveness, they gain more traction and further lead to shorter recovery times and better patient outcomes. Market players are developing innovative products, as the collaboration between technology providers and medical device manufacturers is increasing.

In March 2023, South Korean surgical robot maker Curexo Inc. announced a collaboration with Microsoft Corp. to develop AI-based medical robots for surgeries. Curexo offers a variety of surgical robots and has grown severalfold in the past few years. Through this collaboration, Curexo will enter the AI-based surgical robots market.

Advancements in Machine Learning Algorithms

Machine learning has brought significant advancements to robotic surgeries, enabling robots to learn surgical procedures autonomously through expert demonstration, trial-and-error, or a hybrid of these approaches. Some of the advancements in machine learning algorithms for surgical robotics include the automation of suturing, evaluation of surgical skills, improvement of surgical robotic materials, and surgical workflow modeling. Additionally, machine learning algorithms have enhanced a surgeon's perception and situation awareness during robotic surgeries, such as identifying anatomical regions, providing visual cues, and predicting tool trajectories.

In May 2023, Smith+Nephew attempted to personalize robotically enabled surgery with AI-powered planning software and a data visualization platform. Smith+Nephew unveiled RI.KNEE ROBOTICS v2.0 – Personalized Planning powered by AI and RI.INSIGHTS Data Visualization Platform to be incorporated with its CORI Surgical System. These additions aim to improve surgeons' understanding for better clinical outcomes.

Growing Funding for AI Integration in Surgery

The integration of artificial intelligence in surgery is gaining momentum, with increasing funding and potential to revolutionize surgical care. Several startups and small-cap companies are gaining traction from investors due to the promising product pipeline and rapidly expanding market of surgical robots. The growth in funding for AI development in surgical and operating room applications presents strong opportunities for market expansion, despite ongoing regulatory and implementation challenges. Additionally, several grants are being provided to the incubating firms to develop suitable products and services. For instance, in October 2023, Brainomix and Nanoflex Robotics received a grant of EUR 764 thousand under the UK-Switzerland Bilateral. This collaboration is anticipated to develop an AI-assisted magnetic navigation system for robotic surgical tools. Brainomix will contribute to the project through its AI-enabled diagnostic imaging capabilities while Nanoflex Robotics will bring its expertise in precise magnetic navigation technology. Innovate, United Kingdom, and Innosuisse, Switzerland are providing the grant.

Dominance of Instrument and Accessories Segment

The instrument and accessories segment are anticipated to cover the major value share in the market. This dominance can be attributed to increased AI-based surgical robotic equipment development activities, the rising number of robotic surgeries, and the growing acceptance of AI-based robots by surgeons. With the growing demand for surgical precision and minimally invasive surgeries, the installation bases of AI-based surgical robots are anticipated to increase further. Additionally, the multimillion-dollar cost of surgical robots leads to the major share of revenue, further causing the instrument and accessories segment to dominate the market. Hospitals and research centers are conducting trials to install AI-powered surgical robots, which further can be anticipated to expand the market.

In August 2023, The Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a research center under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, announced the completion of three successful trials on cadavers for the AI-powered surgical robot, MicroNeuro. The success of this trial can be a breakthrough for AI-powered surgeries in Hong Kong.

Orthopedics to Lead the Application Segment

Orthopedics is anticipated to be the central application area of surgical robots. Robotic systems in orthopedic surgery aim to enhance joint arthroplasty by providing support to precisely prepare the bone, restore limb alignment, and ensure the physiological kinematics of the joint. The ability to isolate and rigidly fix bones in known positions makes orthopedic surgery ideally suited for AI-powered robotic systems, leading to more reliable and reproducible outcomes, greater spatial accuracy, and improved range of movement post-procedure. As per an article published by Arthroplasty in December 2023, around 12% of all joint replacement procedures performed in the United States are being done through surgical robots.

In November 2023, Monogram Orthopedics delivered its first surgical robot, mBôs robot. mBôs robot is an AI-powered orthopedic joint replacement solution that aims to improve orthopedic caregiving by digitalizing manually operated knee replacement surgeries. Monogram Orthopaedics aims to drive the next wave of robotic adoption in orthopedics by ensuring safety, ease of use, streamlined cost, novel implant design, broad clinical functionality, and speed.

North America to be the Dominating Region

North America is anticipated to dominate the AI-based surgical robots market since the region has a well-established healthcare infrastructure, a high demand for minimally invasive surgeries, and a growing focus on AI and robotics training for physicians. The ideal reimbursement scenario in North American countries is promoting using AI-powered surgical robots. Additionally, the region's strong presence of leading market players like Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, and Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. is again claiming dominance of North America in the market.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

The integration of artificial intelligence in RAS and newer applications for robotic-assisted surgeries are expected to create market opportunities.

The global AI-based surgical robots market is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years, driven by a combination of continuous technological advancements and increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries.

Instruments and accessories segment is anticipated to be the leading segment in the AI-based surgical robots market due to the growing number of installed bases.

Increasing number of marketed surgical robots for orthopedic applications is causing the orthopedics segment to dominate the market.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Accuray Incorporated, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Medtronic, plc, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. are some of the key players in the global AI-based surgical robots market. Several small market players and startups have promising product pipelines that are anticipated to help expand the market. Regulatory approvals and collaborations between tech and medical device providers bring innovative products to the market. Mergers, acquisitions, and other market tactics also help with market growth.

In September 2023, Asensus Surgical, Inc. announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to enable AI integration in its Intelligent Surgical Unit (ISU). Asensus’s ISU is made with NVIDIA’s real-time augmented intelligent features, such as digital tags, 3D measurement, and enhanced camera control, for a better surgeon experience.