Session 7C: From innovation to implementation: the business case for surgical robotics in 2026 and beyond
Tracks
Track 3
| Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
| 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM |
Details
Surgical robotics has transitioned from experimental promise to mainstream expectation, yet the path from OR excitement to Hospital P&L justification remains fraught with complexity. This panel convenes four critical voices across the commercialization continuum: a surgeon quantifying clinical outcomes beyond "minimally invasive" marketing claims, a startup founder navigating the innovation-to-revenue gauntlet, a MedTech executive who scaled systems across hospital networks, and a Hospital decision-maker deciding which million-dollar platforms earn capital allocation. Together, they'll dissect the uncomfortable economics behind the hype: procedure reimbursement realities, utilization rate thresholds for ROI, competitive dynamics reshaping the post-Intuitive landscape, and whether surgical robotics represents genuine value creation or beautifully engineered cost centers. The truth about who wins financially in 2026 and beyond.
Speaker
Shirley Bowen
Director General
Department of Health, WA
Panellist
Mr Kevin Falzon
Executive General Manager - Fellowship Experience
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
Panellist
A/Prof. Brett Robertson
CEO
Arthrolase
Panellist
Dr. Dhaval Thakkar
Respiratory Medicine Consultant
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Panellist