Distalmotion has secured a strategic investment from Johnson & Johnson Innovation to bolster expansion of its DEXTER robotic surgery system into ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), the company announced Monday.
The move underscores growing interest in deploying robotic technologies outside of traditional hospital settings.
For the Lausanne, Switzerland-based medical technology company, the backing adds to its momentum following a $150 million Series G financing round in 2025, which targeted broader U.S. commercialization and development of its soft-tissue platform.
“ASCs have emerged as the fastest growing U.S. site of care segment in surgery,” Distalmotion noted in an announcement. “Preference for ASC convenience and quality, paired with [payer] policies that incentivize more cost-effective ASC-based care is driving the shift. As part of this dynamic, many ASCs are seeking to include soft tissue robotics in their surgical practice to support surgeon recruitment, patient attraction, and consistency of minimally invasive care.”
In the United States, DEXTER holds regulatory clearance for procedures such as inguinal hernia repair, cholecystectomy and benign hysterectomy – all common ambulatory operations.
“DEXTER has been successfully integrated into clinical practice across Europe and the United States, with more than 3,000 patients treated to date,” the announcement continued.
Robotic surgery has long been associated with large hospitals, but outpatient surgical centers are steadily adopting the technology as systems become more adaptable and cost-effective.
Industry observers note that overcoming upfront investment barriers and delivering seamless integration with ASC workflows are key to wider robotics use in the sector. Manufacturers are responding with smaller, more mobile platforms and financing options tailored to outpatient settings.
ASC News interviewed Dr. Alexander van der Ven, a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the head of the joint replacement division at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care in South Florida, on robotics trends in November.
“There are many trends aimed at enhancing the patient experience, improving clinical outcomes and increasing the longevity of joint replacements,” he explained to ASC News. “We want to be efficient and successful. Robotics has helped us reduce physical strain, improve accuracy and increase success rates in partial knee replacements.”
This latest Disatlmotion development and investment from Johnson & Johnson Innovation also signals confidence from strategic partners in the potential of robotics to reshape outpatient surgical care.
“ASCs require an approach that balances performance with efficiency, and DEXTER was designed to serve that environment,” Greg Roche, CEO of Distalmotion, said in the announcement.
