The system uses real-time data to support clinical decision-making and includes an FDA-cleared application for monitoring surgical instruments.
Medtronic is presenting an early look at its next-generation compute platform, Touch Surgery Aide—an AI-native surgical computing platform that powers the Touch Surgery ecosystem—the Society of Robotic Surgery 2026 Annual Meeting. The platform is designed to provide real-time artificial intelligence support in the operating room, enabling surgical teams to access actionable insights during procedures.
The system incorporates NVIDIA accelerated computing infrastructure to process surgical video and procedural context. This allows multiple artificial intelligence applications to run simultaneously during a live procedure, providing automated support that is designed to learn and evolve over time, according to the company.
“Real-time AI marks a new frontier for healthcare—it is a fundamental evolution in how surgery is supported, moving from technology that assists the surgeon’s hand to technology that helps teams work smarter, move faster, and deliver greater impact in the moment,” says Jim Peichel, chief technology officer at Medtronic, in a release.
First Real-Time AI Application Cleared
Alongside the platform, Medtronic announced the US Food and Drug Administration clearance of Instrument Exit Point, the first real-time application to run on the new system. The application uses computer vision to provide a visual notification when specific instruments move beyond the visible field of view during a robotic procedure.
The application is currently intended for use with the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system. While the technology is initially launching for robotic procedures, Medtronic plans to expand the platform to support laparoscopic surgery in the future.
The Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system received US Food and Drug Administration clearance for urologic surgical procedures in December 2025. In June 2026, Medtronic submitted 510(k) notifications to the administration to expand the use of the system into general and gynecologic specialties in the US.
Integrating Data into Surgical Workflows
The new computing platform is part of the broader Touch Surgery ecosystem, which is currently used in more than 1,500 operating rooms worldwide. The ecosystem is designed to connect the surgical journey, including pre-operative planning, intra-operative tele-mentoring, and post-operative insights.
Medtronic expects the platform to eventually support a wider range of applications and connect with other company technologies in the operating room to turn procedural data into insights for surgical teams and hospitals.
“Surgery is on the cusp of a generational shift, powered by AI and advanced compute,” says George Murgatroyd, general manager and vice president of digital technologies within the surgical business at Medtronic, in a release. “The Touch Surgery ecosystem, powered by Touch Surgery Aide, establishes a platform for a new generation of embedded connectivity, seamlessly integrating advanced capabilities into surgical workflows and reinforcing Medtronic’s commitment to delivering the best possible care, for every patient, anywhere.”
Photo caption: Hugo Robotic Assisted Surgery system console and Touch Surgery ecosystem with the next-generation compute platform Touch Surgery Aide
Photo credit: Metronic
