Robeauté is a French medical technology startup operating at the intersection of medicine and robotics. Founded in Paris in 2017, the company develops microrobots designed for use in neurosurgery. Its work aims to enable interventional access to the brain for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of neurological diseases. Robeauté’s microrobots, roughly the size of a grain of rice, are capable of navigating complex and tortuous pathways within the brain. In 2025, the company secured €27.2 million in funding and began preparing for human clinical trials, while also planning to expand its operations to the United States.

Foundation and Development

Robeauté was founded by robotics specialist Bertrand Duplat and operations expert Joana Cartocci. The motivation behind the company’s founding came from Duplat’s personal experience after his mother was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Duplat previously worked in robotics at McGill University and the European Space Agency and co-founded the 3D software company Virtools, which was later acquired by Dassault Systèmes. Joana Cartocci held management positions in various organizations and gained experience in coordinating multidisciplinary projects.

Technological Approach

Robeauté’s microrobots measure approximately 1.8 millimeters in length and are designed to move through the brain’s extracellular matrix. Given the dominant physical effects at the microscale, such as adhesion and surface tension, the robots are manufactured using specialized materials science, microfabrication, and micromounting techniques. The robots feature a modular design built around a carrier structure that allows the attachment of various components. This enables the device to perform a range of medical tasks, such as biopsy sampling, drug delivery, molecular injection, and sensor deployment.

Each microrobot includes a small motor, propeller, and steering system. These components allow surgeons to monitor and guide the robot in real time along predefined routes. The company is currently testing the effectiveness of these devices in biopsy procedures through animal experiments.

Technical Specifications

Robeauté’s microrobots are engineered for high precision and minimal invasiveness in neurosurgical applications. Each unit is about the size of a grain of rice (1.8 mm in length) and is capable of navigating three-dimensional anatomical structures. Equipped with an integrated micro-motor and propulsion system, the robot can move autonomously and advance accurately toward target regions.

The carrier structure supports modular attachments for a variety of medical functions, including a tissue sampling tool for biopsies, drug delivery mechanisms, and sensor modules. The robot is designed to minimize damage to brain tissue, with biomechanics and material sciences informing its construction. Manufacturing techniques were developed specifically to address adhesion and surface tension challenges at the microscale. The device is capable of forward and backward motion and controlled directional deviation within the extracellular matrix.

Integrated sensors enable the microrobot to collect data, which can then be transferred to AI-based analysis systems. This supports more detailed mapping of diseases at the local level and facilitates the development of personalized treatment plans.

Medical Applications

Robeauté’s microrobots are designed for interventional access to hard-to-reach areas of the brain. Equipped with sensors, the robots can collect real-time biological data, deliver drugs directly to targeted areas, and implant electrodes. These capabilities aim to enhance early diagnosis, create individualized treatment protocols, and improve surgical outcomes. The company’s long-term objectives include developing robots capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to deliver drugs directly to tumors and enabling real-time monitoring of neurological diseases.

Funding and Investors

In 2025, Robeauté raised €27.2 million in a funding round led by Plural, Cherry Ventures, and Kindred Ventures. Additional investors included LocalGlobe, Think. Health, APEX Ventures, and medical technology company Brainlab. Brainlab’s strategic investment marked the beginning of a collaboration aligned with Robeauté’s goals in advanced neurosurgical innovation. The company plans to use the funds to begin human clinical trials in 2026 and expand its operations to the U.S. Preparations for regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are also underway.

Leadership Team

Bertrand Duplat serves as Robeauté’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over 30 years of experience in robotics and 3D technologies, he previously worked as a researcher at McGill University. Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Joana Cartocci has expertise in operations management and coordination of multidisciplinary projects.

The company’s medical and research team includes leading neurosurgeon Arthur André, Vice President of Product Development Quentin François, and Vice President of Research Ali Oulmas. Supporters also include computer scientist and neuroimaging specialist Diana Röttger and entrepreneurial investor Stéphane Imbert.

Future Goals

Robeauté aims to advance interventional neurosurgical techniques, enhance the effectiveness of personalized treatment through patient-specific data, and establish a new standard in the treatment of neurological disorders. If human trials are successful, the technology is expected to be used in advanced clinical applications such as drug delivery by 2030.

Beginning with advanced biopsy applications, the company ultimately plans to offer a broad range of uses, including real-time data collection within the brain, drug release, and sensor implantation.