4. Surgical robotics diversifies
Intuitive Surgical, with its da Vinci robot, is still the top surgical robotics company, but other companies including such heavyweights as Stryker and Zimmer-Biomet have entered the field. Google’s sister Alphabet (NSDQ:GOOGL) company Verily Life Sciences is even in on the act, partnering with Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) in a “computerized surgery” venture called Verb Surgical.
According to global science, product and technology development company Sagentia, robotic surgery will continue to play an influential role in three niche areas including minimally-invasive surgery, specialist functional applications and patient management. Capabilities are expanding, too – from robots that locate veins and draw blood to a robotic drill that drills into the skin 50 times faster than standard procedures.