Computer Motion was established in 1989 with the specific goal of creating surgical robots by utilizing NASA technology originally designed for remote equipment assembly in space.

In the late 1980s, research at SRI International led to the development of a prototype robotic surgical system, which eventually became the da Vinci Surgical System. Funding was received from the National Institutes of Health in 1990.

In 1994, Dr. Frederick Moll showed serious interest in the robotic surgery system developed by SRI, after a career involving innovations in laparoscopy and founding companies like Endotherapeutics and Origin Medsystems, Inc.

In 1995, Intuitive Surgical was founded by a group of innovative individuals who aimed to revolutionize the field of surgery with robotic assistance.

In March 1997, the prototype of a medical equipment named Mona, derived from the SRI System, was completed and named after Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting Mona Lisa.

Intuitive Surgical was founded in June 1998, focusing on surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing.

In December 1998, an article in Mechanical Engineering focused on the advancements in microsurgery techniques.

An article in Robotics World in November/December 1999 discussed how robotic systems were transforming operating rooms.

In June 2001, the FDA granted approval for the use of da Vinci surgical system in prostate surgery, marking a significant milestone for Intuitive Surgical.

In 2002, Frederic Moll and Robert Younge departed from Intuitive Surgical to establish Hansen Medical, a medical start-up focused on developing a robotic system for performing procedures with diagnostic catheters.

In June 2003, Intuitive Surgical and Computer Motion agreed to merge, resolving the litigation between the two companies. This merger proved to be successful as it eliminated competition between the da Vinci and Zeus systems, leading to increased sales and operational efficiencies.

The Wall Street Journal published an article on February 26, 2004, discussing the presence of robots in operating rooms.

In 2008, The New York Times reported that many hospitals and clinics struggled to recover the costs associated with the da Vinci Surgical System, which costs approximately $1.5 million. This highlighted the financial challenges institutions faced in adopting advanced medical technologies.

The da Vinci SI Surgical System, a minimally invasive surgical robot, was released in April 2009 with an estimated cost of $1.75 million. It is commonly used for various surgical procedures including prostatectomies, cardiac valve repair, and gynaecologic surgeries.

In January 2010, Fred Moll became the Chief Executive Officer of Intuitive Surgical.

The fourth generation robot, da Vinci Xi System, was introduced with a brand-new designed patient cart to ensure maximum mobility and flexibility during surgery. It featured improved access around the patient at any quadrant and redesigned arms for greater internal range of motion.

In 2015 and beyond, Intuitive Surgical continued to broaden the adoption of robotic-assisted surgery, solidifying its position as a leader in the field.

For the fiscal year 2017, Intuitive Surgical reported earnings of US$660 million, with an annual revenue of US$3.129 billion. The company experienced a 15.7% increase in revenue compared to the previous fiscal cycle.

In June 2018, Intuitive Surgical settled class action lawsuits for $43 million. The lawsuits alleged issues related to the company's practices. This legal settlement marked a significant event in the company's history.

Intuitive Surgical released the new model of robot, the da Vinci Single-Port (SP) platform. Approved by the FDA in 2018 for urology patients, it has been used successfully in complex urological procedures like prostatectomy, donor nephrectomy, and cystectomy.

In 2021, Intuitive Surgical faced a lawsuit accusing the company of abusing its monopolistic position. The lawsuit specifically mentioned anticompetitive behavior in the aftermarket business of replacement parts. This legal challenge raised concerns about the company's market dominance.

As of August 2022, the legal battle between Rebotix Repair and Intuitive Surgical is expected to proceed to trial after Intuitive's dismissal request was denied. The lawsuit involves allegations of overcharging hospitals for replacement parts, indicating ongoing legal challenges for the company.