KARL STORZ technologies in the surgical environment and the Maestro® System from Moon Surgical. Together, the partnerships support KARL STORZ’s vision of a more connected and interoperable future of surgery.
KARL STORZ Expands Its Robotics Ecosystem Through Strategic Partnerships in the US
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roboticsKARL STORZMoon SurgicalSovatorobotics ecosystem3D visualizationpartnerships
TUTTLINGEN, Germany, July 22, 2026 -(BUSINESS WIRE)- Through new strategic partnerships across the robotics ecosystem in the United States, the family-owned MedTech company KARL STORZ is bringing together advanced 3D visualization, robotic technologies, digital capabilities, and operating room integration. The collaborations with Moon Surgical and Sovato support a more open and connected approach to surgical innovation, designed to expand access, improve workflow efficiency, and enable future models of surgical care. The partnerships will initially be offered in the United States, ahead of a planned global rollout.
An open approach to the future of robotics
Robotic surgery is entering a new phase—one defined not only by advances in robotic technology, but also by the growing importance of interoperability and integrated surgical workflows. To help meet these evolving needs, KARL STORZ, a global leader in endoscopy, imaging, and integrated operating room solutions, is expanding its network of strategic collaborations across the robotics landscape. With technologies deployed in more than 15,000 integrated operating rooms worldwide, the company brings extensive experience in connected surgical environments to these partnerships. Working with Moon Surgical and Sovato will bring together complementary capabilities spanning robotic-assisted surgery, advanced 3D visualization, operating room integration, and digital technologies. Together, these collaborations reflect KARL STORZ’s commitment to building a more open and flexible robotics ecosystem. “We believe the future of robotic surgery will be shaped by collaboration, connectivity, and the ability to bring together complementary technology layers in ways that create meaningful value for customers,” said Christy Gaudet, Global Head of Solutions at KARL STORZ. “By combining our strengths in advanced 3D visualization, operating room integration, and workflow solutions with the expertise of our partners, we are pursuing ways to advance a more connected and interoperable surgical environment while opening new possibilities for surgeons and healthcare providers.”
Supporting flexible and workflow-driven robotics: Moon Surgical partnership
Moon Surgical, a French-American company, is dedicated to scaling surgical performance through real-time, AI-native intraoperative capabilities and workflow automation via their surgical platform, the Maestro®. The Maestro is designed to increase predictability and reduce variability so that more procedures can be performed reliably and efficiently by combining native, physical AI with data-driven insights and automation. Together, KARL STORZ and Moon Surgical are pairing Maestro’s capabilities with KARL STORZ 3D visualization and workflow integration to make minimally invasive surgery more efficient and more accessible across the full range of surgical settings, from hospitals to rural health facilities and ambulatory surgery centers.
Building the foundation for connected surgical care: Sovato partnership
Sovato, a California-based remote robotic surgery and procedure platform, is working with KARL STORZ to support future models of connected surgical care. Through its partnership with Sovato, KARL STORZ’s 3D visualization technologies can support remote surgical collaboration and future connected-care applications. The companies aim to connect robotics and digital layers, laying the groundwork for future models of remote collaboration, training, and surgical support.
Advancing the future of smart surgery
Together, these partnerships reinforce KARL STORZ’s strategic focus on 3D visualization, OR integration, connectivity, and collaboration. By forming strategic collaborations with complementary technologies across the robotics ecosystem, KARL STORZ aims to create a more open and connected approach to surgical innovation in the OR—one that expands access, supports workflow efficiency, and enables new possibilities for surgeons and patients worldwide.
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About KARL STORZ
The medical technology company KARL STORZ was founded in 1945 in Tuttlingen, Germany, and is one of the world’s leading providers of endoscopy and imaging solutions, as well as integrated operating room solutions for many surgical specialties in human and veterinary medicine. Now in its third generation, the family-owned company employs 9,900 people worldwide in more than fifty countries. KARL STORZ stands for visionary design, precision craftsmanship, and clinical effectiveness, including advancements in digital surgery. Production facilities are located in Germany, the U.S., Switzerland, Estonia, and China.
For more information, visit: www.karlstorz.com.
Contacts
YOUR PRESS CONTACT:
Anja Ebert
Executive Director Corporate Communications & Brand Experience
KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG
Mobile: +49 7461 708-2607
Email:press@karlstorz.com
Why This Matters
Two Perspectives
MBA Lens: Economic and industry impact
KARL STORZ is strategically expanding its robotics ecosystem through partnerships with Moon Surgical and Sovato, initially in the US. This open approach aims to enhance market access, improve workflow efficiency, and enable new surgical care models, leveraging KARL STORZ's extensive OR integration experience. The strategy seeks to create a more connected and interoperable surgical environment, potentially influencing competitive dynamics in the robotic surgery market by offering flexible solutions.
- Partnerships with Moon Surgical (Maestro® System) and Sovato aim to integrate advanced 3D visualization, robotics, and digital capabilities for expanded access and efficiency.
- The strategy supports an open, interoperable robotics ecosystem, potentially disrupting traditional closed systems and enabling future models like remote surgical collaboration.
PhD Lens: Clinical and outcomes impact
KARL STORZ is integrating its advanced 3D visualization and OR integration with Moon Surgical's AI-native Maestro® System for workflow automation and Sovato's remote robotic platform. This aims to enhance minimally invasive surgery efficiency and accessibility by combining complementary technologies. The collaborations are designed to foster an open, interoperable surgical environment, laying groundwork for future connected care, remote collaboration, and training applications.
- The Maestro® System by Moon Surgical utilizes AI-native capabilities for intraoperative workflow automation, aiming to increase predictability and reduce variability in procedures.
- KARL STORZ's 3D visualization and OR integration will support remote surgical collaboration via Sovato's platform, enabling future connected-care models.
React:
Discussion
This is a fascinating development. In my practice we've seen similar outcomes with the revised protocol. The key differentiator seems to be patient selection criteria. Has anyone else noticed the correlation with BMI thresholds?
Great point. I'd push back slightly on the conclusion, the sample size in the cited study is too small to draw population-level inferences. That said, the directional signal is compelling and worth a larger RCT.
We implemented a similar approach last year. Early results are promising but we're still gathering 12-month follow-up data. Happy to share our protocol if anyone is interested.
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