ZOEZEN

ZOEZEN Robot (铸正机器人) develops specialized surgical robots for minimally invasive spine surgery, building on three decades of medical robotics research from Beihang University’s Medical Robotics Laboratory. The company operates from dual headquarters in Suzhou and Beijing, focusing exclusively on spinal navigation and positioning systems that enable precise pedicle screw placement and vertebral procedures.

Company Overview

Founded in 2016, ZOEZEN emerged from Beihang University’s Medical Robotics Laboratory, which had accumulated over 30 years of experience in surgical robotics research. The company’s predecessor institution developed China’s first orthopedic positioning robot and first neurosurgical robot, establishing a foundation of expertise in precision surgical systems.

Professor Hu Lei, the company’s founder, has received the National Science and Technology Progress Award twice for contributions to medical robotics. Under his leadership, ZOEZEN has focused on addressing clinical challenges in minimally invasive spine surgery through intelligent, high-precision navigation systems.

In 2015, the team undertook the National 863 Program project “Development of Specialty-specific Minimally Invasive Surgery and Surgical Assistance Robot Systems” (Project No. 2015AA043200), which directly informed the development of the Zhorbot product line. The company has secured investment from TigerYeah Capital, supporting its commercial expansion in the Chinese orthopedic market.

Core Products

Zhorbot 300 Spine Surgery Navigation Robot

The Zhorbot 300 received NMPA Class III medical device certification in February 2022 (Registration No. 20223010268), becoming one of the few domestically developed spine surgery robots approved for clinical use. The system employs frameless stereotactic positioning technology combined with image fusion to enable navigation during pedicle screw implantation procedures.

A distinguishing feature is its compatibility with local anesthesia procedures, allowing application in outpatient settings and minor surgical interventions. The system integrates image processing, path planning, positioning, and robotic motion control functions into a unified platform.

Zhorbot 500 Spine Surgery Navigation System

In February 2025, ZOEZEN achieved another milestone with NMPA approval of the Zhorbot 500. This system represents a significant advancement as the world’s first surgical robot to achieve full-process automatic identification and cutting capabilities. The Zhorbot 500 achieves positioning accuracy of ≤0.8mm, enabling sub-millimeter precision in complex spinal procedures.

The system integrates intelligent optical tracking and adaptive force feedback technology, reportedly improving surgical efficiency by up to three times compared to traditional approaches. Clinical trials conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital demonstrated reduced operative time for procedures such as bone cement injection and lower complication rates compared to imported alternatives.

Technology & Innovation

ZOEZEN’s technical capabilities center on several core competencies:

High-precision Force-controlled Robotic Arms: The company has developed proprietary robotic arm technology with force control capabilities essential for safe interaction with bony structures during spine surgery.

Multi-modal Image Fusion: The navigation systems combine preoperative CT data with intraoperative fluoroscopy, creating real-time guidance for instrument placement without relying on external tracking frames.

Intelligent Optical Tracking: Advanced optical tracking systems provide continuous position monitoring of surgical instruments relative to patient anatomy.

Adaptive Force Feedback: Real-time force sensing enables the system to respond to tissue resistance during procedures, enhancing safety margins.

The company holds intellectual property developed through the National 863 Program and maintains ongoing research collaborations with academic medical centers.

Market Presence

ZOEZEN positions its products as cost-effective alternatives to imported spine surgery robots, which typically carry price tags in the tens of millions of RMB. The company’s strategy targets broader adoption across tier-2 and tier-3 hospitals where budget constraints have limited access to robotic surgical technology.

According to the National Health Commission, China performed over 918,000 spinal surgeries in 2023, yet robot-assisted procedure penetration remained below 5%, compared to approximately 20% in European and American markets. This gap represents substantial growth potential for domestic manufacturers.

The spine surgery navigation robot market in China reached RMB 118 million in 2023 and expanded to RMB 149 million in 2024. Industry projections suggest the market could exceed RMB 31.75 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 44.16%.

Key Milestones

• 2015: Undertook National 863 Program project for specialty surgical robot development
• 2016: Company formally established in Suzhou
• 2022: Zhorbot 300 received NMPA Class III certification
• 2025: Zhorbot 500 achieved NMPA approval as world’s first full-process automatic spine surgery robot

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of surgeries can ZOEZEN robots perform?

ZOEZEN’s Zhorbot systems are designed specifically for minimally invasive spine surgery, with primary applications in percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fractures, degenerative spine conditions, and spinal fusion procedures. The systems provide navigation assistance for screw trajectory planning and placement.

How does ZOEZEN compare to imported spine surgery robots?

ZOEZEN positions itself as a cost-effective domestic alternative to imported systems from companies like Mazor Robotics (Medtronic) and Zimmer Biomet. The Zhorbot systems are designed to be compatible with existing hospital imaging equipment, reducing total implementation costs. The Zhorbot 500’s sub-millimeter precision (≤0.8mm) is competitive with international benchmarks.

Is ZOEZEN publicly traded?

No, ZOEZEN is a privately held company. The company has received venture investment from TigerYeah Capital but has not pursued an initial public offering as of early 2026.