AI Robotics in Medicine

Medicaroid’s Hinotori has secured a CE mark, paving the way for a European launch after approvals in Singapore (2023), Malaysia (2024), and Vietnam, and leveraging a Germany-based EMEA base (since 2020) and a March 2025 CE filing.

With about 20,000 procedures completed, Kawasaki’s new San Jose hub (with Nvidia, Analog Devices, Microsoft, and Fujitsu) and a partnership with France’s IRCAD reinforce development and training support as Intuitive—who has flagged Medicaroid as an emerging competitor—faces rising pressure in robot-assisted surgery.

Watch for initial EU rollouts and any move toward a U.S. pathway, which Medicaroid says it is still evaluating.

Tracking: Medicine Robotics · AI Medicine · AI Healthcare

Geography: United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, China, Japan, Singapore, India, Boston, San Francisco Bay Area, London, Tel Aviv, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tokyo, Singapore (city), Bengaluru, Toronto, Montreal

1. Medicaroid’s Hinotori Surgical Robot Secures CE Mark for Europe

Medicaroid, the Japanese joint venture of Kawasaki and Sysmex, has secured CE mark clearance for its Hinotori robotic surgery system, paving the way for a European launch.

The company reports about 20,000 procedures performed globally and has recently expanded regulatory approvals across Asia—Singapore in 2023, Malaysia in 2024, and Vietnam.

To support EMEA expansion, Medicaroid set up a Germany-based base of operations in 2020 and filed for CE certification in March 2025. Intuitive has previously flagged Medicaroid among emerging competitors in robot‑assisted procedures.

The company said it continues to evaluate the U.S. opportunity, while Kawasaki opened a San Jose development hub in May with Nvidia, Analog Devices, Microsoft, and Fujitsu, initially focusing on healthcare and nursing care, including Hinotori.

Kawasaki is also partnering with France’s IRCAD, a leading surgical education and research institute.

Key facts:

- Hinotori surgical robot won Europe’s CE mark certification.

- Medicaroid is preparing a European launch of Hinotori.

- About 20,000 Hinotori procedures have been performed globally.

- Regulatory approvals: Singapore (2023), Malaysia (2024), and more recently Vietnam.

- Medicaroid established an EMEA base in Germany in 2020.

Why it matters: CE marking paves the way for Hinotori’s European launch, giving hospitals another surgical robotics option alongside established players.

Intuitive’s own acknowledgment of Medicaroid as an emerging competitor underscores growing pressure in robot‑assisted surgery markets.

Medicaroid’s Germany base, its partnership with IRCAD, and Kawasaki’s new San Jose hub with major tech partners suggest the company is building training and R&D channels to support rollout.

Watch for first European installations, clinical specialties emphasized at launch, and any movement toward a U.S. regulatory filing.

Medtechdive