Robotech Stories: Identify opportunities with surgical precision
- 01 October 2024 (3 min read)
Companies and investors alike are gaining an appreciation of the increasingly sophisticated and scalable solutions offered by robotics, particularly within distribution and manufacture. Yet, the benefits of accelerating developments within the wider robotech universe are also penetrating exciting new sectors, such as healthcare. This is not a new concept; the first robotic surgical operation on a human took place in 1985, when the Programmable Universal Machine for Assembly 200, or PUMA, performed a neurosurgical biopsy, and was rapidly adapted for orthopaedic functions1 . Development of surgical robotics continued into the 1990s and beyond, as the potential for robots to not only perform operations, but to do so better, and with more precision, than a human counterpart began to materialise. This potential expanded further as the ability to control surgical robots remotely emerged with the development of robotic arms, capable of both carrying out surgery, and operating as assistants to human surgeons.
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmNiaS5ubG0ubmloLmdvdi9wbWMvYXJ0aWNsZXMvUE1DMTA2ODM0MzYvIj5UaGUgaGlzdG9yeSBvZiByb2JvdGljIHN1cmdlcnkgYW5kIGl0cyBldm9sdXRpb246IHdoZW4gaWxsdXNpb24gYmVjb21lcyByZWFsaXR5PC9hPg==
In the present, robotic surgery represents one of several disruptive technologies that originated in previous decades, such as artificial intelligence (AI), yet are increasingly becoming an essential and integrated part of our lives in recent years. Growth and uptake are being driven by accelerated development in both hardware and software capabilities, alongside increased demand for safer, more precise, and innovative medical care for a growing (and ageing) global population.2 A leading robotic-assisted surgery tool manufacturer Intuitive Surgical provides an exciting example of the persistent demand and success of the continuously evolving Da Vinci platform. Now in its fifth generation, this leading and well-known robotic surgery platform benefits from decades of research and enhancements and performed more than 2.2 million procedures3 in 2023. Their fifth generation of robot leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to reach 10,000 times the computing power of its prior generation. This allows Da Vinci to analyse vast amounts of surgical data, providing insights that can improve training, optimise surgical techniques, reduce variability in outcomes and allow surgeons to carry out even more complex and less invasive procedures.4
Opportunities within robotic surgery are also emerging from specialised companies such as California-based Procept BioRobotics, with its specific focus on revolutionising urology patient care. Its AQUABEAM system offers advanced, image-guided, surgical robotics which aim to reduce the invasiveness of traditional urologic surgery, and improve outcomes for patients.5 The company continues to demonstrate a commitment to future growth with the development of its HYDROS aquablation system, which uses high-pressure water jets to carry out precise therapies, enhanced with AI treatment planning and advanced imaging.6
These companies present just part of the growing and dynamic set of opportunities available to investors in robotech, and to those seeking to capture a suitably diverse exposure to the long-term growth potential associated with robotics.
Companies shown are for illustrative purposes only as of 30/09/2024. It does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalised recommendation to buy or sell securities.
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHdjLmNvbS9neC9lbi9pbmR1c3RyaWVzL2hlYWx0aGNhcmUvcHVibGljYXRpb25zL2FpLXJvYm90aWNzLW5ldy1oZWFsdGgvdHJhbnNmb3JtaW5nLWhlYWx0aGNhcmUuaHRtbCI+QUkgYW5kIHJvYm90aWNzIGFyZSB0cmFuc2Zvcm1pbmcgaGVhbHRoY2FyZTogV2h5IEFJIGFuZCByb2JvdGljcyB3aWxsIGRlZmluZSBOZXcgSGVhbHRoOiBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnM6IEhlYWx0aGNhcmU6IEluZHVzdHJpZXM6IFB3QzwvYT4=
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9pc3JnLmludHVpdGl2ZS5jb20vbmV3cy1yZWxlYXNlcy9uZXdzLXJlbGVhc2UtZGV0YWlscy9pbnR1aXRpdmUtYW5ub3VuY2VzLXByZWxpbWluYXJ5LWZvdXJ0aC1xdWFydGVyLWFuZC1mdWxsLXllYXItMyI+SW50dWl0aXZlIEFubm91bmNlcyBQcmVsaW1pbmFyeSBGb3VydGggUXVhcnRlciBhbmQgRnVsbCBZZWFyIDIwMjMgUmVzdWx0czwvYT4=
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9pc3JnLmludHVpdGl2ZS5jb20vbmV3cy1yZWxlYXNlcy9uZXdzLXJlbGVhc2UtZGV0YWlscy9pbnR1aXRpdmUtYW5ub3VuY2VzLWZkYS1jbGVhcmFuY2UtZmlmdGgtZ2VuZXJhdGlvbi1yb2JvdGljLyI+SW50dWl0aXZlIEFubm91bmNlcyBGREEgQ2xlYXJhbmNlIG9mIEZpZnRoLUdlbmVyYXRpb24gUm9ib3RpYyBTeXN0ZW0sIGRhIFZpbmNpIDUgfCBJbnR1aXRpdmUgU3VyZ2ljYWw8L2E+
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9pci5wcm9jZXB0LWJpb3JvYm90aWNzLmNvbS8iPkludmVzdG9yIFJlbGF0aW9ucyB8IFBST0NFUFQgQmlvUm9ib3RpY3MgQ29ycDwvYT4=
- PGEgaHJlZj0iaHR0cHM6Ly9pci5wcm9jZXB0LWJpb3JvYm90aWNzLmNvbS9uZXdzLXJlbGVhc2VzL25ld3MtcmVsZWFzZS1kZXRhaWxzL3Byb2NlcHQtYmlvcm9ib3RpY3MtYW5ub3VuY2VzLWZkYS1jbGVhcmFuY2UtaHlkcm9zdG0tcm9ib3RpYyI+UFJPQ0VQVCBCaW9Sb2JvdGljcyBBbm5vdW5jZXMgRkRBIENsZWFyYW5jZSBvZiB0aGUgSFlEUk9T4oSiIFJvYm90aWMgU3lzdGVtLCZuYnNwO3RoZSBOZXh0LUdlbmVyYXRpb24sIEFJLVBvd2VyZWQgUGxhdGZvcm0gZm9yIEFxdWFibGF0aW9uwq4gVGhlcmFweSB8IFBST0NFUFQgQmlvUm9ib3RpY3MgQ29ycDwvYT4=
Related articles
View all articles
How generative AI is transforming e-commerce
- by
- 01 October 2024 (5 min read)
US cements itself as the global centre of tech innovation
- by Tom Riley, ,
- 29 May 2024 (5 min read)
Smart cities: A tech-driven future with stakeholder potential
- by
- 19 March 2024 (7 min read)
Tech stocks look set to potentially continue AI-led hot streak
- by Chris Iggo
- 30 January 2024 (5 min read)
More than meets the AI? Exploring key drivers for tech in 2024
- by
- 30 January 2024 (7 min read)
Disclaimer
This website is published by AXA Investment Managers Australia Ltd (ABN 47 107 346 841 AFSL 273320) (“AXA IM Australia”) and is intended only for professional investors, sophisticated investors and wholesale clients as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
This publication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments, nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities.
Market commentary on the website has been prepared for general informational purposes by the authors, who are part of AXA Investment Managers. This market commentary reflects the views of the authors, and statements in it may differ from the views of others in AXA Investment Managers.
Due to its simplification, this publication is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this publication is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this publication. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
All investment involves risk , including the loss of capital. The value of investments and the income from them can fluctuate and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.