Johnson & Johnson to advance robotics development with NVIDIA Isaac for healthcare

Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced advancements in developing the company’s robotics systems with physical artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that create simulated environments to accelerate future product innovation, optimize clinical workflows, and improve training for clinical teams. Johnson & Johnson MedTech is using AI-driven simulation in development of the MONARCH Platform for Urology where virtual operating room environments can be created to assist clinical teams in setting up the robotic system before starting a procedure. Simulated patient anatomy and clinical scenarios can also be generated to model kidney stone procedures to help with learning and procedure planning. Leveraging NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare, Johnson & Johnson MedTech can create high-fidelity digital twins using NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and build applications that simulate how the system may perform in the operating room and inside a patient. In addition, NVIDIA Cosmos world foundation models for synthetic data generation can help complete the picture with highly accurate, physics-based data.

“Simulation is the next frontier in surgical robotics,” said Neda Cvijetic, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Robotics & Digital R&D, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “With AI-driven simulation, we can create high-fidelity digital twins that adhere to the laws of physics, such that the simulation accurately anticipates the real world and ultimately unlocks physical AI capabilities. As we launch new robotics technologies and continue accelerating our innovation pipeline, these simulations have the potential to enhance our differentiated technology development in support of our mission to deliver better patient outcomes.”

Optimizing clinical settings and training for new robotic systems

Creating physics-based simulations of the entire robotic system including the tower, cart, fluid management system, and instruments is expected to provide research and development teams with the potential to test new features and model how the system might behave in real-world settings. The digital assets can also be used to support training and education efforts for clinical teams that adopt the MONARCH Platform for Urology.

“This is an exciting development in our use of AI to shape our robotics portfolio and position the MONARCH Platform for Urology for success,” said Aleksandra Popovic, President, MONARCH, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “Our teams are convening the right technologies to capture value from data and shape new experiences with our systems before, during, and after surgery.”

Pioneering robotics for bronchoscopy and urology

The MONARCH Platform is a first-to-market innovation in robotic-assisted bronchoscopy. The system uses robotic control with a novel endoluminal scope-in-sheath architecture that enables clinicians to locate and biopsy small nodules deep within the lung. The company recently introduced MONARCH QUEST with AI-enhanced navigation software for its bronchoscopy system, powered by the full-stack NVIDIA accelerated computing platform.

The MONARCH Platform for Urology is the latest innovation for robotic-assisted urologic procedures and will be commercially available in the U.S. in 2026. The system, ureteroscope, and endourology accessories are indicated to provide endoscopic visualization and access of organs, cavities and canals in the urinary tract with transurethral access or transurethral access in conjunction with percutaneous access routes. It can also be used in conjunction with endoscopic accessories to perform various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the urinary tract. Robotic assistance can allow surgeons to maintain precise instrument control during kidney stone procedures, providing the freedom to perform multiple tasks simultaneously by a single operator.