A surgical instrument comprising: a robotic system operable to produce a plurality of control motions including a firing motion, and having an adaptor portion coupled thereto; and an implement portion responsive to said firing motion from the robotic system, the implement portion comprising: a tool mounting portion that includes a tool mounting plate that is configured to mountingly interface with the adaptor portion, and that supports a transmission arrangement thereon, wherein the transmission arrangement includes a first firing motor housed on the tool mounting plate; an elongate channel coupled to the robotic system and including a channel slot; a staple cartridge received by the elongate channel and incorporating a proximally positioned wedge member aligned to cam upward a driver supporting a staple; an anvil pivotally coupled to the elongate channel and including an anvil channel; a firing device including a distally presented cutting edge longitudinally received between the elongate channel and the anvil, wherein the firing device includes: an upper member engageable to the anvil channel; a lower member engaging the channel slot; and a middle member operable to actuate the staple cartridge by distally translating the edge member of the staple cartridge in response to said firing motion produced by said robotic system and applied thereto by said first firing motor, the firing device positively engaging both the elongate channel and the anvil during longitudinal firing travel to provide spacing therebetween for staple formation; an articulation joint proximally coupled to the elongate channel; and a thinned firing strip proximally attached to the firing device for transferring the firing motion from the robotic system through the articulation joint. a robotic system operable to produce a plurality of control motions including a firing motion, and having an adaptor portion coupled thereto; and an implement portion responsive to said firing motion from the robotic system, the implement portion comprising: a tool mounting portion that includes a tool mounting plate that is configured to mountingly interface with the adaptor portion, and that supports a transmission arrangement thereon, wherein the transmission arrangement includes a first firing motor housed on the tool mounting plate; an elongate channel coupled to the robotic system and including a channel slot; a staple cartridge received by the elongate channel and incorporating a proximally positioned wedge member aligned to cam upward a driver supporting a staple; an anvil pivotally coupled to the elongate channel and including an anvil channel; a firing device including a distally presented cutting edge longitudinally received between the elongate channel and the anvil, wherein the firing device includes: an upper member engageable to the anvil channel; a lower member engaging the channel slot; and a middle member operable to actuate the staple cartridge by distally translating the edge member of the staple cartridge in response to said firing motion produced by said robotic system and applied thereto by said first firing motor, the firing device positively engaging both the elongate channel and the anvil during longitudinal firing travel to provide spacing therebetween for staple formation; an articulation joint proximally coupled to the elongate channel; and a thinned firing strip proximally attached to the firing device for transferring the firing motion from the robotic system through the articulation joint. a tool mounting portion that includes a tool mounting plate that is configured to mountingly interface with the adaptor portion, and that supports a transmission arrangement thereon, wherein the transmission arrangement includes a first firing motor housed on the tool mounting plate; an elongate channel coupled to the robotic system and including a channel slot; a staple cartridge received by the elongate channel and incorporating a proximally positioned wedge member aligned to cam upward a driver supporting a staple; an anvil pivotally coupled to the elongate channel and including an anvil channel; a firing device including a distally presented cutting edge longitudinally received between the elongate channel and the anvil, wherein the firing device includes: an upper member engageable to the anvil channel; a lower member engaging the channel slot; and a middle member operable to actuate the staple cartridge by distally translating the edge member of the staple cartridge in response to said firing motion produced by said robotic system and applied thereto by said first firing motor, the firing device positively engaging both the elongate channel and the anvil during longitudinal firing travel to provide spacing therebetween for staple formation; an upper member engageable to the anvil channel; a lower member engaging the channel slot; and a middle member operable to actuate the staple cartridge by distally translating the edge member of the staple cartridge in response to said firing motion produced by said robotic system and applied thereto by said first firing motor, the firing device positively engaging both the elongate channel and the anvil during longitudinal firing travel to provide spacing therebetween for staple formation; an articulation joint proximally coupled to the elongate channel; and a thinned firing strip proximally attached to the firing device for transferring the firing motion from the robotic system through the articulation joint.