Medtronic and Asan Medical Center Collaborate to Advance Robotic Surgery
Medtronic and Asan Medical Center have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance robotic surgery, aiming to foster the broader adoption of robotic surgery and drive technology development using Medtronic’s Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system. The signing ceremony took place on May 6 and was attended by representatives from both organizations, including Seung-il Park, President of Asan Medical Center; Dal-san Yoo, Director of the Robotic Surgery Center; Mike Marinaro, Executive Vice President and President of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic; and Rok Yoo, Vice President of Medtronic Korea.
The MOU establishes a comprehensive foundation for collaboration across critical areas, including clinical research, education, and technology development. Asan Medical Center has consistently contributed to the advancement of healthcare in Korea through its clinical expertise and educational experience in complex and high-acuity care, including robotic surgery. The Hugo system features an open console for real-time team communication and a modular architecture that allows for flexible positioning of robotic arms according to patient anatomy and procedural requirements.
Asan Medical Center has consistently contributed to the advancement of healthcare in Korea through its extensive clinical expertise and educational experience in robotic surgery, and will further advance the field of robotic surgery and reinforce its position as a leading global robotic surgery center through collaboration with Medtronic, stated by Dal-san Yoo, Director of the Robotic Surgery Center at Asan Medical Center. Mike Marinaro, Executive Vice President and President of the Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic, added that the company will strengthen its partnership with Korea as a strategic hub for advancing robotic surgery and expand its support in the region.
Medtronic has been developing surgical tools and technological advancements for over 60 years. The Hugo system received regulatory approval in Europe in 2021, Japan in 2023, and Korea in 2024, followed by U.S. FDA clearance for urologic surgical procedures in December 2025. The first U.S. surgeries using the system commenced at major American medical institutions in February 2026. Outside the United States, the Hugo system has been used in tens of thousands of urologic, gynecologic, and general surgery procedures in more than 30 countries across five continents.
