HMI Medical pioneers Hinotori - Japanese robotic-assisted surgical system in Malaysia

September 22, 2025

Healthcaretoday, HMI Medical, Hinotori Surgical System, Robotic Surgery, Regency Specialist Hospital, Mahkota Medical Centre, Medical Innovation, surgical technology, Precision Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Healthcare Malaysia, Medical Tourism, Advanced Surgery, healthcare technology, patient centered care, Surgical Excellence, Affordable Healthcare,

Joining the launch ceremony for the Hinotori Robotic Surgical System are (3rd from left) Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon; (4th from left) Chin Wei Jia, Group CEO of HMI Medical; and (6th from left) Iwane Matsui, Senior Managing Executive Officer at Sysmex Corporation.

Dr Lim Huay Cheen of Regency Specialist Hospital uses the Hinotori system to perform delicate suturing. Its elite precision in navigating complex anatomy leads to better patient outcomes and faster recovery times.

In a groundbreaking development for Malaysia's healthcare sector, HMI Medical today launched the country's first Japanese robotic-assisted surgery system – the Hinotori robotic assisted surgery system – at two premier hospitals: Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru and Mahkota Medical Centre in Malacca. This introduction marks a significant leap forward in surgical precision, patient outcomes, and accessibility to cutting-edge medical technology in the region.

A new era of surgical excellence
The deployment of the Hinotori robotic assisted surgery system represents a transformative moment in Malaysian healthcare, bringing advanced robotic-assisted surgery to patients with unprecedented accessibility and affordability. This state-of-the-art technology promises to enhance surgical precision, minimize recovery times, and improve overall patient outcomes across a wide range of surgical procedures.

HMI Medical's healthcare facilities in Malaysia and Singapore, including Regency Specialist Hospital, Regency Medical Care Centre in Johor Bahru, and Mahkota Medical Centre in Malacca, currently serve more than 3 million patient visits annually. This extensive network has been further strengthened with the addition of the Hinotori system, reinforcing the organization's commitment to delivering compassionate care while demonstrating high quality and competency.

"We believe in sparking change for the future of healthcare and doing more with care. We recognize the need to always stay ahead of the curve and meet patients' evolving health and wellness needs," said Chin Wei Jia, Group CEO of HMI Medical.

The Hinotori advantage: Precision and innovation
The Hinotori robotic-assisted surgical system, developed through a collaboration between leading Japanese technology and healthcare companies, brings several groundbreaking features to Malaysian operating theaters. The system is the result of a joint venture by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Sysmex Corporation, forming Medicaroid, which has worked closely with HMI Medical to introduce this cutting-edge technology to Malaysia.

Among the standout features of the Hinotori system is its 8-axis robotic arm, which delivers elite surgical precision, enabling surgeons to navigate complex anatomy and perform delicate suturing even in confined environments. This level of precision is particularly crucial for complex procedures where millimeter-level accuracy can significantly impact patient outcomes.

The system also incorporates enhanced vision capabilities through a full high-definition 3D imaging system that provides surgeons with unprecedented visualization of tissue detail and outstanding depth perception. This enhanced visualization is particularly valuable during long, complex surgeries, where it contributes to both safety and performance.

Another significant advantage of the Hinotori system is its breakthrough control features, which allow for more fluid, uninterrupted instrument movement while accurately mimicking the movements of surgeons' hands. This intuitive control system reduces fatigue during lengthy procedures and enhances the surgeon's ability to perform precise movements consistently.

Comprehensive training and collaboration
The successful implementation of the Hinotori system at both hospitals has been the result of extensive preparation and collaboration. HMI Medical has invested significantly in ensuring that their surgical teams are fully prepared to utilize this advanced technology effectively.

"Our vision at HMI Medical extends beyond technology. We deeply believe in working with best-in-class healthcare institutions around the world, who bring with them unparalleled experiences and knowledge that can support us in advancing healthcare delivery experiences for our patients," explained Chin Wei Jia.

As part of this commitment, HMI Medical's surgeons have undergone comprehensive training, including case observations at various university hospitals in Japan and intensive robotic surgery training and certification at the Singapore General Hospital Academia in Singapore. This rigorous preparation ensures that the surgical teams are fully equipped to maximize the benefits of the Hinotori system for their patients.

To date, Regency Specialist Hospital has performed 69 surgeries with 21 specialized procedures in six months using Hinotori robotic assisted surgery. The hospital has 10 certified surgeons to operate using the Hinotori system. Since January 2025, Mahkota Medical Centre has operated on 70 patients with Hinotori.

Chin Wei Jia emphasized the collaborative effort behind this achievement: "Importantly, this achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our Surgical Robotics Committee, robotic surgeons, as well as our Centre of Excellence operating theatre and nursing teams, who have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life."

The Sysmex and Medicaroid teams have also played a crucial role in implementing the state-of-the-art Hinotori robotic-assisted surgery system, providing technical expertise and support throughout the installation and training process.

Addressing the accessibility challenge
One of the key motivations behind HMI Medical's decision to introduce the Hinotori system was to address the gap in precision robotic surgery innovation while making advanced technology more accessible to patients. The organization recognized that having cutting-edge technology alone would not fulfill their mission of delivering quality, patient-centered care if it remained out of reach for most patients due to cost constraints.

"When we found Hinotori, the problem we were trying to solve was how to bring the latest state-of-the-art advanced technology of robotics into our hospitals? And how do we do that at a price point that makes it accessible to more people?" explained Chin Wei Jia.

After studying various robotic systems available worldwide and consulting with surgeons, HMI Medical determined that the Hinotori system offered the best combination of quality and value. The collaborative ecosystem built around the Hinotori system allows for lower operational costs and, consequently, more affordable pricing for patients.

"We're confident in our pricing. We're actually able to offer robotic surgery to more people at a much better price than what current robotic systems in Malaysia can offer," she stated.

This commitment to accessibility has positioned HMI Medical as a pioneer not only in Malaysia but globally. The organization is proud to be the first private hospital operator in the world to bring the Hinotori system outside of Japan, following Singapore General Hospital, which was the first public sector hospital to adopt the technology.

The growing surgical robotics market
The introduction of the Hinotori system comes at a time of significant growth in the surgical robotics market globally. In 2018, the surgical robotics market was valued at US $4.6 billion, and by 2025, this figure is projected to nearly double to US $8.5 billion. This growth is driven by rising demand for minimally invasive surgery, particularly among aging populations, and the increasing burden of chronic diseases worldwide.

Malaysia, with its booming medical tourism market and innovation-driven healthcare system, is positioning itself as a regional leader in advanced medical technology. The country's strategic location, coupled with its multilingual and culturally inclusive environment, makes it an attractive destination for patients from neighboring countries and beyond.

Johor's emergence as a healthcare hub
The launch of the Hinotori system at Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru is particularly significant given Johor's ambitions to become a regional healthcare hub.

"Johor has been vocal about becoming a regional healthcare hub. Johor, Singapore, is a special value zone for bringing new opportunities. Geographically, Johor would be a very important location as we are just next door to Singapore, and we are near to Batam, Indonesia as well," noted Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) has attracted significant investment from around the world, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Currently, most medical tourism activity in Johor is concentrated in Johor Bahru, where private hospitals are operating at near full capacity, with occupancy rates as high as 95%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity in meeting the rising demand from international patients.

Ling Tian Soon highlighted the importance of advanced medical technologies in addressing these challenges: "The adoption of advanced medical technologies, such as the Hinotori robotic assisted surgery system, helps to address this challenge. Its precision and minimally invasive approach means less scarring, significantly faster recovery time, and shorter hospital stays. This not only improves patient outcomes but also eases back capacity pressure, enabling hospitals to serve patients more efficiently."

Government support and future growth
The Malaysian government has recognized the potential of the healthcare sector and has taken steps to support its growth. Ling Tian Soon emphasized the government's role in enabling this growth through developing regulatory frameworks, facilitating investments, and ensuring supportive infrastructure such as transport, visas, immigration, and accommodation.

"By working hand-in-hand with private medical groups like HMI Medical to bring advanced technologies like Hinotori within the reach of more patients, we are strengthening Malaysia's position as a trusted healthcare destination," he added.

The outlook for Malaysia's medical tourism industry is indeed bright. According to research by IMARC Group, the market is projected to reach USD 2.75 billion by 2033, growing at an impressive 20.29% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). Johor, with its proximity to Singapore and competitive pricing, is uniquely positioned to capture a significant portion of this growth.

Ling Tian Soon highlighted Johor's competitive advantage: "Our proximity to Singapore provides an enabled competitive edge, offering the same high standard of care at approximately 60% of the cost. Meanwhile, Johor's healthcare infrastructure continues to expand, with Regency Specialist Hospital itself growing with a new 10-storey block."

Expanding advanced healthcare across Malaysia
Following the successful launch at Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru, HMI Medical introduced the Hinotori system at Mahkota Medical Centre in Malacca, with the launch event officiated by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

The introduction of the Hinotori system at both hospitals represents a significant milestone in Malaysia's healthcare journey. By offering robotic-assisted surgery that is both advanced and affordable, HMI Medical is helping to democratize access to cutting-edge medical technology, ensuring that more patients can benefit from the improved outcomes and faster recovery times associated with minimally invasive robotic surgery.

Regency Specialist Hospital: A comprehensive healthcare facility
Regency Specialist Hospital stands out with its patient-centric approach and comprehensive services. The hospital features a self-operated kiosk, specialist clinics on the same floor, and in-house dietitians and nutritionists. Executive health screening for radiology boasts a wait time of less than 20 minutes.

Notably, Regency Specialist Hospital is the only hospital with six full-time emergency specialists available around the clock – not medical officers. The hospital currently has 218 beds and is expanding with a new building that will accommodate 500 beds. It also offers Traditional Complementary Medicine services.

The hospital serves two types of patients: local medical patients and expatriates from Batam, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Asian region. Its rehabilitation center addresses musculoskeletal problems to restore balance, and it is well-equipped with a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.

Smart hospital initiatives
Both Regency Specialist Hospital and Mahkota Medical Centre are currently rolling out the smart ward system throughout their facilities. The smart ward system at Mahkota Medical Centre on the 7th floor is equipped with comprehensive digital features including doctors' records of each patient, payment records, ward information, admission and discharge data, care team details, procedure records, surgery and diagnostic information, meal indications, patient alerts, high-risk patient monitoring, blood infusion tracking, on-call doctor information, medication indications for patients, early warning signs (EWS) for critical patients, and allergy information.

Mahkota Medical Centre also offers HIFU treatment and boasts the latest Radixact system, a next-generation TomoTherapy system that combines computed tomography (CT) imaging with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to deliver precise, personalized cancer treatment.

As Malaysia continues to position itself as a regional leader in healthcare, the adoption of technologies like the Hinotori system and smart hospital initiatives will play a crucial role in attracting medical tourists and establishing the country as a destination for high-quality, cost-effective medical care.

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