What Technology is Driving The Future of Cyber Surgery

Technology in Science 

In this episode of Technology in Science, Toby is joined by Andres Amarillo, CTO of Cyber Surgery, the company behind the Alaya Robot, a spinal surgery platform powered by robotics and AI-assisted guidance.

Andres explains how electromechanical tracking is transforming surgical precision and why the future of medical devices depends on collaboration between engineers, clinicians, and regulatory specialists.

Andres Amarillo, CTO of Cyber Surgery

Andres Amarillo serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Cyber Surgery, a medical robotics company based in Spain that develops robotic systems for spinal fusion surgery. Cyber Surgery’s star product, the Alaya Robot, is designed to support surgeons during high-precision screw placement using real-time electromechanical tracking that adapts to patient movement without relying on optical cameras.

Since joining in 2019, Andres has led the transition from early prototypes to clinical trials and now into certification for both European and U.S. markets. He champions a development philosophy where regulatory compliance, surgeon collaboration, and engineering innovation progress together rather than in sequence.

Key Takeaways

• Regulation is integrated into product design from the outset, shaping development and recruitment priorities.
• Cyber Surgery’s Alaya Robot uses electromechanical tracking, avoiding limitations of optical navigation.
• Iterative design cycles with surgeon feedback drive usability and adoption.
• AI is already supporting surgical planning, with future applications in intraoperative guidance.
• Certification and global expansion require robust teams across engineering, clinical development, regulatory affairs, and commercial functions.
• Recruitment focus is shifting to hybrid profiles, such as biomedical engineers, regulatory affairs specialists, and clinical development managers.

The New Era of Surgical Robotics

Medical robotics is experiencing rapid growth, with companies under pressure to balance innovation, clinical validation, and regulatory compliance. Cyber Surgery exemplifies how robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping the field of spinal surgery.

The company’s flagship product, the Alaya Robot, is engineered to support surgeons during spinal fusion by providing precision screw placement and real-time adaptability. Unlike camera-based systems, it uses electromechanical tracking to follow patient motion. This reduces the complexity of the operating room environment and helps surgeons deliver accuracy in one of the most demanding specialties.

For senior leaders in medical devices, digital health, and clinical development, Cyber Surgery demonstrates how the convergence of advanced engineering and strong regulatory strategy is creating new opportunities for medical devices.

Certification as a Strategy

Regulation Built into Design

Cyber Surgery recognizes that certification is not a final hurdle but a guiding principle for product development. Electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility, traceability, and complete documentation are considered from day one.

For life sciences organizations, this reinforces the importance of investing in regulatory affairs recruitment and clinical development recruitment early in the lifecycle. By securing the right regulatory specialists and clinical development managers, businesses can avoid delays and position themselves for smoother approvals in both Europe and the United States.

Building Market Confidence

Strong evidence generation remains central to regulatory approval and commercial adoption. Medical affairs recruitment and clinical development jobs are increasingly critical, as these professionals drive the validation and communication of safety and efficacy. Companies that prioritize these roles strengthen their credibility with both regulators and clinicians.

AI in Surgical Robotics

Supporting Surgical Planning and Guidance

Artificial intelligence already plays a role in Cyber Surgery’s system by assisting in pre-operative planning. Looking ahead, AI will extend further into intraoperative guidance and workflow optimization, aligning with wider trends across medical devices where machine learning is enhancing diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient monitoring.

Recruitment Challenges in AI for Healthcare

Demand for AI specialists in healthcare is intensifying. Companies require talent that can combine technical expertise in machine learning and computer vision with a deep understanding of regulated medical environments. Securing these hybrid skill sets is one of the most pressing recruitment challenges for senior leaders in the sector.

Surgeon Collaboration as a Product Strategy

Close collaboration with surgeons and clinical teams underpins Cyber Surgery’s development model. Prototypes are created, validated in real clinical environments, and refined based on direct feedback. This ensures that the robot is not just technically advanced but also practical for daily surgical use.

For hiring managers, this highlights the importance of recruiting usability specialists, clinical liaisons, and human factors engineers. These roles are essential to bridging the gap between product development and clinical application, driving adoption and long-term success.

Scaling Surgical Robotics Globally

Certification to Commercialization

Cyber Surgery is progressing toward CE certification in Europe and is initiating FDA approval in the United States. However, regulatory clearance is only the first step. To achieve adoption, medical device companies must also invest in strong commercial, regulatory, and clinical teams that can support international market entry.

Strategic Recruitment for Growth

As robotics companies expand, strategic hiring becomes a competitive advantage. Biomedical engineers, clinical development managers, regulatory affairs specialists, and medical affairs leaders are all critical to bringing complex medical devices to market. Organizations that align talent acquisition with product and regulatory strategy are better positioned to scale globally.

“It’s very rewarding to know that your work lowers risks and improves outcomes for patients.”

Cyber Surgery demonstrates how robotics, artificial intelligence, and regulatory integration are reshaping spinal surgery. Its Alaya Robot highlights the future of surgical robotics, where precision, usability, and AI-powered planning meet rigorous certification standards. For leaders in the medical device and life sciences sector, success will depend on aligning innovation with strategic recruitment across biomedical engineering, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and medical affairs.

How Barrington James Supports Medical Device Growth

At Barrington James, we partner with medical robotics, digital health, and life sciences organizations to help them recruit the cross-disciplinary talent required for innovation.

From robotics developers and AI imaging engineers to regulatory affairs experts, clinical development managers, and commercial specialists, our consultants connect growing medical device firms with the expertise needed to move from pilot to market.

If your organization is developing or scaling surgical robotics, AI-assisted healthcare platforms, or advanced medical devices, our team can help you identify and secure the people who make that innovation possible.