For over two decades, the Da Vinci system has monopolized the global market for laparoscopic surgical robots, commanding prices as high as 20–30 million RMB per unit. This massive supply gap has created a historic opportunity for domestic alternatives. The globalization strategy of Cornerstone Robotics offers a valuable case study for the industry. In the first half of 2026, overseas shipments of Chinese laparoscopic surgical robots exceeded 154 units, accounting for 81% of the total volume for that period. Specifically, Cornerstone Robotics’ shipment breakdown—comprising four new domestic installations and five new installations across Hong Kong and international markets—clearly demonstrates that the overseas expansion of domestic surgical robots has moved beyond the proof-of-concept stage into a phase of tangible realization involving orders, installations, and clinical application.

01
The Hong Kong Pivot: A "Clinical Touchstone" of High Standards
To understand Cornerstone Robotics' overseas expansion strategy, one must first grasp the strategic importance of Hong Kong. In May 2025, the Sentire® system was installed for the first time at the CUHK Medical Centre in Hong Kong. Within a year, the system supported the hospital in performing over 160 complex robotic surgeries—peaking at six procedures in a single day—making it the medical institution with the highest volume of robotic surgeries in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s value extends beyond the market itself. Its medical standards align with those of Europe and the US; local surgeons possess nearly two decades of experience with the Da Vinci system and apply rigorous evaluation criteria. As Professor Ou Guowei noted, "Hong Kong possesses world-class medical resources, which helps facilitate the successful deployment of products in overseas markets." Cornerstone Robotics has skillfully leveraged Hong Kong as a "super-connector," using it to complete high-standard clinical validation before radiating its credibility and evidence-based success outward. This strategy has yielded remarkable results. In May 2026, the Sentire® system simultaneously secured EU CE (MDR) certification and Singapore HSA certification, becoming the first domestic laparoscopic surgical robot to hold the "triple crown" of regulatory clearances: China’s NMPA, the EU’s CE, and Singapore’s HSA. 02
Full-Stack In-House Development: The Confidence to Rival Industry Giants

To truly rival the da Vinci system, the key lies in the independent control of underlying technologies.Kangnuositeng chose a challenging yet high-potential path: full-stack in-house development combined with vertical integration. The Sentire system comprises approximately 13,000 components, boasting a 99% domestic localization rate, with 100% of core components manufactured in-house. Drawing on high-end drone technology, it deeply integrates smart direct-drive motors with control algorithms, achieving a control loop update rate of 2 kHz (a 0.5-millisecond refresh interval). It features an 8mm 4K 3D fluorescence imaging system that provides an immersive, glasses-free 3D view, while 5mm wristed instruments push the boundaries of minimally invasive surgery. This vertical integration capability ensures supply chain security and agile iteration, laying a solid hardware foundation for entering the international market.
03
Clinical Evidence: Head-to-Head Data Dispels Doubts

Can a domestically produced robot reduce costs without compromising therapeutic efficacy compared to the da Vinci system? A multi-center study published in the *International Brazilian Journal of Urology* in 2025 provides the answer. Conducted at three major high-volume urology centers—including the PLA General Hospital and Changhai Hospital—the study performed a head-to-head comparison between Sentire and da Vinci Si using 1:3 propensity score matching:

Equivalent Efficacy: There were no statistically significant differences in positive surgical margin rates (22.7% vs. 20.0%) or 1-year PSA recurrence rates (4.5% vs. 6.1%); urinary continence rates at 12 months post-operation were comparable.

Superior Cost-Efficiency: The median cost for surgery and anesthesia in the Sentire group was approximately 16.7% lower ($8,750 vs. $10,500), and the postoperative hospital stay was reduced by one day (median 2 days vs. 3 days).

Objective Assessment: While the median total operative time was longer for the Sentire group (143 minutes vs. 112 minutes), there was no significant difference in "console time"—a metric representing core procedural efficiency. This objective reporting actually bolsters the credibility of the findings: even during the early stages of the learning curve—where total procedure time was slightly longer—core efficacy indicators successfully matched those of the benchmark system. Furthermore, the system achieved a 100% success rate in multi-center clinical trials in mainland China, with no conversions to open surgery; its clear visualization and stable performance have been fully validated in routine clinical use at the CUHK Medical Centre.
04
System-Level Global Expansion: From Selling Products to Building an Ecosystem
Cornerstone Robotics’ globalization strategy has evolved beyond mere product exports toward the collaborative construction of a comprehensive system:
Europe: Leveraging CE certification, the company established a UK subsidiary to deepen clinical partnerships with hospitals within the NHS system.
Asia-Pacific: Completed the first system installation at a hospital under Singapore’s National Healthcare Group and partnered with Nanyang Technological University to establish a training system.

Middle East: Secured investment from a top-tier sovereign wealth fund and leveraged the LEAP East technology exhibition to deepen regional medical collaborations.
Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau: Partnered with top-tier hospitals—such as those affiliated with Zhejiang University and Peking University—and utilized the system for surgeon training at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.

The transition from simply exporting products to a system-level expansion—characterized by a "Hong Kong pivot, clinical ecosystem, and capital ties"—marks a significant milestone in the maturation of domestically produced high-end medical devices.

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