The two-day Global Medical Robotics Conference 2025, chosted by MedChina, concluded on September 6 at Beijing’s Zhongguancun Exhibition Center. Bringing together more than 600 experts from hospitals, enterprises, research institutes, and investment organizations, the event offered an in-depth exploration of advances in surgical robotics, clinical applications, and globalization strategies.

A highlight of the conference was the announcement of the 2025 Global Medical Robotics Awards, recognizing companies that achieved significant milestones in technology, clinical adoption, market impact, international expansion, and supply chain development. From endoscopy to orthopedics, navigation to remote surgery, the winners represent the most dynamic forces shaping the current landscape of surgical robotics.

🏆 Surgical Robot of the Year

MicroPort® MedBot distinguished itself with simultaneous progress in R&D and international collaboration, covering six major surgical fields. Its Toumai® Endoscopic Robot became the first of its kind in Asia to obtain CE certification, offering a unified solution across multi-port, single-port, and remote surgery. Notably, the Toumai® Remote System emerged as the world’s first approved remote surgical robot, with nearly 500 clinical cases performed worldwide. Its landmark procedure using low-orbit satellite connectivity in Xiong’an demonstrated dual compatibility with both low- and high-orbit satellites, marking a breakthrough in the maturity of remote surgery.

💡 Technical Innovation Award

• Rossum Robot: Introduced R-Universal® Orthopedic Robotic System, the world’s first robotic system for complex fracture reduction, enabling high-precision, minimally invasive treatment of pelvic and long bone fractures. With nearly 500 cases completed across 35 top hospitals in China, the system achieved a 100% reduction success rate and a 95% clinical excellence rate.

• Cornerstone Robotics: Advanced full-stack in-house development, including mechanics, electronics, software, and AI algorithms. Its Sentire® Surgical System, NMPA-approved and validated in autonomous animal surgery (Science Robotics publication), marks a leap in embodied surgical intelligence and global physician training.

• Leading Micros: Focused on ophthalmic and microsurgical robotics, its Xianyao® (衔曜®) dual-arm system offers micron-level precision with real-time force feedback, supporting delicate procedures such as retinal membrane peeling. Proprietary algorithms and compact RCM mechanisms provide a new frontier for microsurgical applications.

• Tuodao Medical: Its Tuoling® laparoscopic surgical robot integrates a 13-DOF control arm, 3D 4K fluorescence endoscopy, and advanced force feedback, offering enhanced dexterity and precision in complex anatomy. Supported by 5G ultra-low-latency networks, it lays the groundwork for scalable remote surgery.

⭐ Clinical Application Excellence Award

• Futurtec: Covers spine, trauma, and joint surgery with multiple robots. Its CE-certified spinal robot integrates multimodal imaging and automated needle placement, while its knee replacement system delivers sub-millimeter accuracy and automation for safer, more efficient arthroplasty.

• Sagebot Intelligent Medical: The Kangduo® Robotic Surgical System, NMPA-approved, pioneered multi-site 5G remote surgery. With a multimodal navigation platform (3D reconstruction, 4K fluorescence, real-time ultrasound), it enhances surgical precision and enables multi-console collaboration for education and safety backup.

🚀 Market Impact Award

• Yuanhua Robotics: Developer of KUNWU® Robotic Orthopaedic Surgical Systems — the first Chinese domestic robot covering hip, knee, and unicompartmental procedures. With full in-house development of orthopedic core components, it has become one of the first Chinese joint replacement robots to reach large-scale commercialization.

• Stryker: The global leader’s Mako robot remains the most widely adopted joint replacement system in China, with installations in nearly 50 centers and over 30,000 completed procedures. Continuous software upgrades reinforce its position as the benchmark for standardized robotic arthroplasty.

🌎 Global Expansion & Collaboration Award

MicroPort® MedBot has deployed products in over 30 countries, securing nearly 150 global orders by mid-2025. Its Toumai® Endoscopic Surgical System and SkyWalker™ Orthopedic Surgical Robot have entered major markets in Europe, the U.S., and Australia, positioning the company as China’s most globalized surgical robotics manufacturer.

🔗 Outstanding Supply Chain Award

• ATI Industrial Automation: With over 30 years of expertise in robotic end-effectors, ATI’s six-axis force/torque sensors have become the benchmark for surgical robotics, widely applied in neurosurgery, orthopedics, dental, and endoscopic systems. By enabling precise force feedback and navigation, ATI helps surgeons perform delicate procedures more safely and efficiently.

• Novanta: Specializing in precision motion control, Novanta provides ultra-compact, high-accuracy encoders, motors, and drives designed for surgical robots. Its micro encoders deliver exceptional stability in tight installation spaces, ensuring precise positioning and multi-axis coordination in endoscopy, orthopedics, and neurosurgery applications.

• Aimooe: A rising Chinese domestic supplier, Aimooe has developed integrated optical and electromagnetic positioning systems with sub-millimeter accuracy and strong anti-interference performance. Its solutions are now deployed in orthopedic, dental, and neurosurgical robots, supporting large-scale clinical adoption.

• Tuge Medical: Focused on medical endoscopic imaging, Tuge pioneered the first Chinese domestic 3D 4K fluorescence endoscope system. By integrating depth perception and tissue recognition, it enhances surgical precision and has already been adopted by leading hospitals in China and exported to Europe and Southeast Asia.

• Kunwei Sensing Technology: Dedicated to high-precision force sensors, Kunwei has developed lightweight, biocompatible six-axis sensors that meet aerospace and medical standards. Its solutions replace long-standing import reliance, providing core force-control technology that improves surgical safety and responsiveness.

🤝 Outstanding Service Partner Award

• Tonghe Litai: Based in the Zhongguancun Medical Device Park, Tonghe Litai operates China’s only barrier-level large-animal testing platform, completing more than 900 NMPA-compliant preclinical reports. It also runs a 1,500 m² clinical training center, supporting major surgical robotics companies with regulatory, training, and commercialization services.

• Liangyi: Founded in 2020, Liangyi develops surgical tools and end-effectors including probes, calibration devices, and saw blades tailored to orthopedic needs. Through close clinical collaboration and full-process service from design to after-sales, it has become a key partner for multiple surgical robotics firms and a two-time GMRC award recipient.

Rehabilitation Robot of the Year

Founded in 2016 by a team from Stanford’s robotics and AI lab, Flexiv has applied adaptive robotics and force-control expertise to rehabilitation and therapy. Its Rizon series robots deliver human-like massage and treatment with 0.1N force precision and a 1kHz response rate, enabling safe and effective personalized care. With dual CE and ETL certifications, the system has been deployed across multiple clinical and wellness settings. Flexiv’s work demonstrates how intelligent rehabilitation robots can transform traditional therapy into scalable, standardized, and accessible healthcare solutions.

Outlook

The 2025 award winners showcase how surgical robotics has moved beyond “future medicine” to a clinical reality. From complete systems to enabling components, from domestic breakthroughs to global expansion, these companies illustrate the accelerating maturity of the industry. As clinical needs evolve, surgical robotics is entering a phase of high-quality competition — where global competitiveness will hinge on both technological leadership and international strategy.

September 8, 2025, MedChina