The Memo: eCential Robotics Unifying Real-Time Navigation and Surgical Robotics in an Open Platform

Under the direction of President and CEO Clément Vidal, eCential Robotics is creating a new standard in robot-assisted bone surgery. The Grenoble-based company has developed a universal, implant-agnostic platform that integrates real-time navigation and surgical robotics into a single interface, designed to make spine and orthopedic procedures safer, more efficient, and more consistent. 

Origin Story

eCential Robotics was founded in 2009 by Stéphane Lavallée, a pioneer in medical imaging, surgical robotics, and computer-assisted medical interventions. The company began with the goal of merging intraoperative imaging and navigation for bone surgery. Over time, robotics became an essential piece of the platform. “Now we are offering intraoperative imaging capabilities, surgical navigation, and robotics,” Vidal explained. 

Vidal joined the company five years ago, drawn by its mission and technology. “What excited me was the idea of building enabling technology around an open platform,” he said. “We are not an implant manufacturer, and we really want to make it implant-agnostic across multiple fields of orthopedic surgery. We want to give physicians the ability to choose which implant is best for which patient.”

The Current Landscape

eCential Robotics is starting with spine surgery, with a focus on pedicle screw placement. “Spine is complex surgery. It’s high risk because of the proximity to the spinal cord, and it’s difficult because clinical outcomes are hard to predict,” said Vidal. “We believe that with enabling technology like navigation and robotics, we can help surgeons achieve better clinical outcomes in a more consistent and reliable manner.”

The company’s technology is FDA-cleared and currently undergoing limited release in the U.S., with a full commercial launch planned next year. “We like to go step by step and build a solid foundation. We’re lucky enough to have enough funding to take the time to do this properly,” Vidal said.

While the company plans to expand to Europe in the future, its current focus remains the U.S. “The U.S. is the bigger market, especially for enabling technologies. The regulatory and reimbursement environment in Europe has become more complex, and it adds a significant cost and burden. Therefore, we want to enter that market with a well-established product,” he explained.

As the broader industry shifts toward minimally invasive approaches and outpatient settings, eCential is positioning itself accordingly. “Minimally invasive procedures are likely the future of spine surgery and bring many benefits,” Vidal said. “Enabling tech is going to support that shift. If spine remains an inpatient industry for now, it is starting to follow the shift to outpatient ASC centers for indications such as lumbar fusion.”

He added that the eCential platform is already optimized for these environments: “Our platform has proven to be an ASC-compatible solution, with its reduced footprint and a slick, streamlined workflow.”

Inside the Innovation

The eCential Robotics platform is a fully integrated system that unifies navigation and robotics. 

“One of our objectives is to make a system that works with multiple implants and does not require proprietary instrumentation,” Vidal explained. “We want to give surgeons the flexibility to choose what’s best for the patient.”

Vidal also sees this strategy as a way to reshape industry competition. “I read that Medtronic CEO Geoffrey Martha believes the very basis for competition is changing in spine due to enabling technology,” he said. “Our open-platform approach will offer smaller players in the industry access to enabling technology, which will be a must-have to continue to be competitive in the field and will avoid them being filtered out.”

Technically, the system is built around what eCential calls active robotics. “Our robotic system constantly adapts to the actual position of the anatomy,” said Vidal. “Other companies build stiff robots that go to a certain place and hold a position, but tissues are moving constantly in surgery. If you want high-level accuracy, you need to adapt to the real-time anatomy.”

Progress and Milestones

eCential Robotics has made significant progress over the past several years. The company is FDA-cleared, with clinical experience already underway through limited release sites. The next milestone is a full U.S. commercial launch, planned for next year.

“Our goal over the next three years is to scale the system in the U.S. market and continue bringing innovation in spine surgery,” Vidal said. “We want to go beyond screw placement. We’re looking at other aspects of spine surgery, such as bone decompression.”

In parallel, the company is also pursuing a knee surgery application in Europe and has plans to extend its platform to additional fields of orthopedics, including the shoulder and hip. “We believe our robotic platform can serve multiple specialties. The value proposition is to let healthcare facilities leverage their investment in robotics across different departments,” he said.

With over $100 million in funding to date, the company is well-positioned to execute its long-term vision. “Spine is just the beginning,” said Vidal.

The LSI Effect

Vidal has attended multiple LSI USA events and credits the experience with creating space for deep, strategic conversations. “What I like about LSI is the atmosphere. Everyone comes with a very open-minded approach and has very honest, in-depth discussions,” he said. “The networking is awesome. From breakfast through late night, every table becomes an opportunity to share experiences and meet people. I always learn a lot, and I always look forward to coming back.”

Join Us at LSI USA ‘26

Vidal has been selected to present at LSI USA ‘26 next March 16th–20th in front of hundreds of global medical technology companies. Join us in welcoming him to the event in Dana Point, CA, where he will share the latest updates on eCential Robotics’ technology and development.