News

iotaMotion Expands Globally with First Robotic Cochlear Implant Procedure Outside U.S.

• By John K. Waters
• 05/14/2025

Minnesota-based medtech firm iotaMotion has announced the first use of its iotaSOFT Insertion System outside the United States as part of a pre-market clinical investigation at the University Hospital of Zurich in Switzerland.

The procedure, conducted under the direction of Professor Alexander Huber, launches a new phase for the company’s robotic-assisted cochlear implant technology in Europe, the company says, signaling growing global interest in using robotics to enhance hearing restoration.

The iotaSOFT Insertion System, which has been used in more than 750  cases in the United States, was designed to provide "unprecedented" control of the electrode array insertion, enabling the optimization of intracochlear recordings using real-time electrocochleography (ECochG).

"Bringing this new robotic-assisted technology for cochlear implantation to University of Zurich was extremely important to our team," Huber said in a statement. "It will enable us to continue to advance cochlear implant care and explore techniques that have never been used clinically prior to this study."

The study, titled "Analysis of electrocochleographic signals during speed-controlled cochlear implant electrode array insertion in a non-randomized controlled trial," leverages robotic control of the array insertion to analyze the relationship between electrode insertion dynamics and cochlear function, as measured by ECochG signals. This approach may pave the way for future advancements in cochlear implant programming and hearing preservation strategies, the company says.

Unlike traditional manual approaches, the iotaSOFT system offers controlled, consistent insertion of the electrode array, designed to minimize trauma to the inner ear.

From Steady Hands to Smart Systems
A cochlear implant consists of a device implanted beneath the skin and a sound processor connected to an electrode array. The electrode must be threaded delicately into the cochlea during surgery. iotaMotion’s robotic system automates this process, enabling micro-precision that surpasses human capability.

In Zurich, researchers will analyze how robotic insertion speed affects ECochG readings, with the goal of improving both surgical technique and post-surgical programming. The study’s findings could advance hearing preservation strategies and inform next-generation cochlear implant protocols.

Toward Global Adoption
Although the iotaSOFT Insertion System is currently limited to clinical investigations outside the U.S., the company anticipates commercial availability in Europe and other markets in 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

For iotaMotion, the Zurich trial marks the company’s first formal step toward global expansion. CEO Mike Lobinsky described the initiative as "a milestone" for both the company and the broader cochlear implant sector. The collaboration with Professor Huber’s team is expected to yield new clinical insights and reinforce robotic systems as a standard of care.

The move also underscores a growing trend generally toward robotic-assisted microsurgery, where automation supports surgeons in performing delicate, high-stakes procedures. By integrating ECochG data in real time, iotaMotion’s approach could help bridge the gap between surgical precision and personalized implant performance.