Transport Robots in everyday Hospital Life

Many hospitals are struggling with increasing demands whilst facing tighter budgets. This often raises the question of whether purchasing automated transport robots (AGVs / AMRs) is really worthwhile. We are asked this time and time again.

Our answer: Introducing automated transport systems is worthwhile for almost all hospitals – particularly under the following conditions:

1. Reducing the burden of routine transport tasks: When nursing and support staff are heavily tied up transporting medicines, laboratory samples or meals, transport robots take over these tasks, thereby freeing up valuable time for patient care.
2. Improving hygiene standards: In sensitive areas such as operating theatres or isolation wards, autonomous robots minimize contact between staff and potentially contaminated materials, thereby reducing the risk of infection.
3. Optimisation of in-hospital logistics: Hospitals with complex workflows and long distances between storage areas, wards and laboratories benefit from reliable, efficient transport robots that reduce waiting times and minimise sources of error.
4. Offsetting staff shortages: In the face of a shortage of skilled staff and high workloads, transport robots support the team by taking on monotonous and physically demanding tasks.

The use of transport robots often leads to time savings of 15–30% on transport tasks and usually pays for itself within a few years. It is important to carry out an individual needs analysis and to integrate the technology step by step.

Automated transport systems are therefore a crucial component in making day-to-day hospital operations more efficient, safer and fit for the future.