The area of orthopedic surgery is witnessing a rapid adoption of robotics and artificial intelligence, with major players seeking innovative technologies to stay competitive. Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire Monogram Technologies Inc., aiming to enrich its capabilities in orthopedic surgery robotics. This acquisition is projected to accelerate new developments, especially as Zimmer Biomet looks to meet the diverse demands of healthcare providers trying to enhance patient outcomes. While automation in surgery continues to expand globally, companies like Zimmer Biomet are investing to position themselves at the forefront of this trend. Industry observers expect such mergers to spark further competition and improvements in medical robotics solutions.
Over the last year, increasing competition among robotics developers has pushed other orthopedic firms, such as Stryker and Smith+Nephew, to announce updates to their platforms and partnerships in robotics navigation. Monogram Technologies previously attracted attention with its combination of 3D printing, machine vision, and AI for surgical precision. Earlier merger activity in this space, notably Medtronic’s acquisition of smaller robotic firms, set similar precedents for integrating niche technologies with established global portfolios. Unlike other acquisitions that focused mainly on joint implants or imaging, Zimmer Biomet’s move emphasizes expanding semi- and fully autonomous robotic capabilities. This approach underlines the broader orthopedic sector’s trend of pairing advanced software and machine learning with surgical hardware.
How Will Zimmer Biomet Use Monogram’s Technology?
Zimmer Biomet intends to integrate Monogram Technologies’ semi- and fully autonomous robotic systems with its existing ROSA platform. The company anticipates that Monogram’s AI-navigated total knee arthroplasty system, which received FDA clearance in March 2025, will allow Zimmer Biomet to commercialize new offerings as early as 2027. By continuing to merge Monogram’s solutions, the combined companies aim to enhance robotic knee procedures and extend capabilities beyond total knee applications.
What Enhancements Are Planned for the ROSA Platform?
Through this deal, the ROSA platform will benefit from a broader suite of technology, allowing Zimmer Biomet to offer a mix of imageless robotics, CT-based systems, visual navigation, and both semi- and fully autonomous options. With the acquisition, Zimmer Biomet projects increased revenue from expanded product offerings and improved robotic knee adoption, particularly in the U.S. The company is also pursuing further regulatory clearance across shoulder and hip surgery platforms, indicating a commitment to diversifying its orthopedic robotics applications.
Why Are Orthopedic Robotics Advancements Important for Surgeons?
The ongoing integration of robotics and AI in orthopedic surgery enables more tailored procedures, supporting different surgeon preferences and workflows. Zimmer Biomet claims that its expanded portfolio will allow surgeons to choose among manual, robot-assisted, or autonomous approaches depending on patient complexities and infrastructure.
“We are thrilled by the opportunity to add our technology to Zimmer Biomet’s leading portfolio of surgical robotics, navigation solutions, and trusted implants and to benefit from their deep industry expertise and global scale,”
stated Benjamin Sexson, CEO of Monogram.
The competitive landscape for orthopedic robotics has focused on delivering both intuitive systems for experienced surgeons and automation for routine cases. Zimmer Biomet’s acquisition strategy, matched with ongoing collaborations such as its work with THINK Surgical Inc., shows a focus on creating flexible, surgeon-driven ecosystems backed by data analytics. By prioritizing a blend of navigation methods—imageless and CT-based—the company addresses varying hospital preferences, regulatory standards, and technological readiness in different markets.
Surgeons and hospitals weighing the adoption of surgical robotics need to consider factors such as system compatibility, learning curves, cost, and reliability. Obstacles in regulatory approval and surgeon training are ongoing, but the momentum around AI and robotics continues to drive research and investment. Zimmer Biomet’s expanded ROSA suite may support more individualized patient care, operational efficiency, and post-operative analytics, while customers should closely follow upcoming commercial launches and FDA clearances. Those interested in new orthopedic robotics should watch for how Zimmer Biomet merges these platforms and what that means for product choices, support, and integration.
