Medtronic expands London hub for AI, surgical robotics

Medtronic

(NYSE: MDT)
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announced today that it doubled the size of its London office and workforce to advance AI and digital technologies.

The medtech giant — one of the largest medtech companies in the world — said it doubled the size of the London office to 25,000 square feet. This expansion includes growing the London workforce to more than 200 employees focused on AI and digital technologies.

Medtronic said this move forms the business’s largest global digital center for AI, robotics, and surgery. It comes as part of a multi-million-dollar investment in the U.K. over five years. The company said its investment reinforces its growing R&D presence in the U.K. as it aims to strengthen innovation within the ecosystem.

The company’s Centre of Digital Excellence, located in London’s Old Street “Silicon Roundabout,” drives R&D in software for robotic-assisted surgery in the U.K. and around the world. Medtronic established its digital footprint in the U.K. with the acquisition of privately-held Digital Surgery in 2020.

One of Medtronic’s leading offerings in digital surgery, its Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system, has been available in Europe for years after receiving CE mark approval for urologic and gynecologic procedures in October 2021. A launch began with the first procedure in Europe in February 2022. The company also submitted Hugo to the FDA this year and recently delivered positive results in a study evaluating robotic hernia repair.

Hugo works with the company’s Touch Surgery Enterprise to offer a smart, digitally enabled surgical experience.

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Medtronic’s London center already produced highly specialized computing and software capabilities for operating rooms. Its launches include hundreds of AI algorithms to help surgeons access analytics automatically after performing surgery.

The company says its digital technology supports surgical teams in planning, learning and collaboration. London proves central to the company’s surgical robotics innovation, delivering capabilities in development, including real-time, AI-powered decision support for surgeons while operating.

Medtronic’s London site also features a mock robotic operating theater. It enables the testing of new technologies and allows healthcare professionals to engage directly in digitized procedure rooms.

“The future of surgery is increasingly digital. Our investment reflects the significant talent and innovation here in the UK, including in AI, and is a statement of intent to transform healthcare outcomes for surgeons and patients worldwide,” said George Murgatroyd, VP & GM, Digital Technologies within the Surgical business, part of the Medtronic Medical Surgical unit. “Medtronic has led technology innovation in medicine for decades, and our significant investment in the era of digitized healthcare positions us as a partner to help shape the UK’s vision for a technology-driven future. Placing ourselves in the beating heart of London’s tech hub, probably the most innovative square mile in Europe, is key to building the future of digitally-enabled healthcare.“