The Robot Was Never the Prize : A Structural Theory of Durable Independence in Surgical Robotics
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The flashiest part of surgical robotics — the robot itself — turns out to be the weakest business moat, and this article explains exactly why using structural competitive theory.
Competitive Moat TheoryRazor-and-Blades ModelSwitching CostsPlatform Economics
Theory Briefing
- Surgical robots are highly visible but structurally the least defensible part of the business, making them poor sources of lasting competitive advantage.
- Durable independence in surgical robotics comes from data networks, workflow integration, and switching costs — not the hardware itself.
- This mirrors the razor-and-blades model: the platform locks customers in, while the flashy product is just the entry point.