Boisbriand, Quebec, June 4, 2026 – On May 19th, Kinova celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of innovation and contribution to the evolution of robotics. To crown this historic milestone, the proudly Canadian company is taking a major new step by announcing the official launch of KIMA, its brand-new medical robotic arm designed specifically for clinical environments. This launch reaffirms Kinova’s position as a key international player, propelling its cutting-edge technologies from assistive applications to high-precision medical robotics.
The official unveiling will take place at the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) 2026 annual meeting.
Since its inception, Kinova has pursued the same vision: to develop technologies that bring robotics closer to the concrete needs of users, allowing them to push their boundaries. Initially inspired by a desire to improve the autonomy of individuals living with physical limitations, the company has progressively expanded its expertise into new applications while maintaining a human-centric approach.
The launch of KIMA perfectly embodies this evolution. As demand grows for more compact, precise, and integrated medical and surgical solutions, this robotic arm offers unprecedented versatility. Designed to cover a wide spectrum of applications, this platform supports healthcare professionals at every stage of care, from diagnostics to complex surgical interventions. Whether utilized for endoscopy, bronchoscopy, or targeted surgical procedures, the KIMA robotic arm adapts to the most demanding kinematic profiles.
Developed from the ground up exclusively for clinical environments, the KIMA robotic arm breaks away from modified industrial technologies to set a new benchmark in the market. It defines the highest standard of manufacturing in the industry, both through its mechanical design and its strict regulatory compliance.
Natively integrating the most rigorous safety and risk management requirements (IEC 62304 Class C for software and ISO 14971), KIMA eliminates bulky industrial control boxes. This robotic arm features an optimized architecture (a 3 kg payload class with a lightweight frame under 13 kg), enabling medical device manufacturers (OEMs) to design the next generation of medical systems faster, safely, and with unmatched flexibility.
“KIMA represents a shift in how medical robotics should be built,” said François Boucher, Vice President, Medical at Kinova. “For too long, the industry has adapted existing technologies to fit clinical environments. We designed this robotic arm specifically for these realities, applying absolute quality manufacturing standards to pave the way for technologies better aligned with the needs of patients and practitioners.”
Supported by a strong technological ecosystem that includes premier partners such as QNX, RTI, MedAcuity, MPE and Acontis, the KIMA robotic arm is engineered from its inception to reduce integration complexity. This modular and flexible vision allows industry innovators – from promising startups to established global medical players – to power and accelerate the development of their own advanced clinical solutions.
“The important thing is not the size of the steps we take, but the willingness to keep moving forward, one step at a time, in the same direction.”
Charles Deguire, CEO and co-founder of Kinova
As it begins this new chapter, Kinova continues its growth and collaborations worldwide. The company invites SRS 2026 attendees to discover this innovation and experience live demonstrations of the KIMA robotic arm firsthand on-site.
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Boisbriand (Québec), Canada, Kinova is a global leader in assistive and collaborative robotic solutions. Celebrating 20 years of innovation in 2026, the company specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced robotic solutions for medical, professional, and assistive applications. Its products are proudly designed, developed, and assembled in Canada, reflecting the company’s unwavering commitment to superior quality, innovation, and local expertise.
François Boucher, Vice President, Medical at Kinova, will be available for interviews:
To schedule an interview or request media assets, please contact: marketing@kinova.ca
