Medtronic’s Hugo system is used in more than 25 countries, but in the U.S. – the world’s largest robotic surgery market – Intuitive has a head start of more than two decades. Medtronic first unveiled its robotic program to investors in 2019, William Blair analyst Brandon Vazquez noted Monday in a report to investors.

The FDA submission puts Medtronic on track for approval in urological procedures in the second half of this year, said Vazquez.

“While we are believers that Intuitive’s technology remains well ahead of the competition,” Vazquez wrote, “2025 is shaping up to be the first year with meaningful U.S. market entrants like Medtronic and even private players like CMR Surgical.”

Vazquez said that while Medtronic’s market entry does not “meaningfully” change Intuitive’s growth outlook, the new competition could lengthen selling cycles.