[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":355},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-top-healthcare-companies-in-robotics":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":179,"relatedBooks":354},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":33,"project_category":45,"contact_email_category":46,"yst_prominent_words":47,"class_list":57,"better_featured_image":77,"acf":114,"yoast_meta":123,"_links":126},15101,"2017-03-02T18:00:24","2017-03-02T16:00:24",{"rendered":9},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=15101","2022-04-26T17:22:38","2022-04-26T15:22:38","top-healthcare-companies-in-robotics","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftop-healthcare-companies-in-robotics",{"rendered":17},"Top Healthcare Companies In Robotics",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2017. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotics has the power to completely reshape the landscape of healthcare both in its structure and its operation. Here, you find my own list about the most relevant companies and start-ups on the healthcare robotics market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>With robotics for the sustainability of healthcare\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As I outlined in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fspeech-canadian-senate-committee-open-letter-every-government\u002F\">my open letter to regulators\u003C\u002Fa>, the long-term sustainability of healthcare systems could be solved by automation powered by digital health technologies, such as artificial intelligence, 3D-printing or robotics. The latter could take over monotonous work from healthcare workers, which would allow them to focus more on patients and to have lesser workload.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The way automation cuts out repetitive and monotonous tasks from the human work schedule fits into a decades-long (or even centuries-long) global trend thriving to make people’s lives easier and more comfortable. Experts such as \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2016\u002F11\u002F18\u002Felon-musk-says-robots-will-push-us-to-a-universal-basic-income-heres-how-it-would-work.html\">Elon Musk, Tesla-CEO\u003C\u002Fa> and other believe that technologies and automation through robotics might even push for the introduction of universal basic income. Even if it does not happen any time soon, it is already visible that robotics is skyrocketing. The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Frobohub.org\u002Fmedical-robotic-systems-market-to-reach-13-6-billion-by-2018\u002F\">global medical robotic systems market was worth\u003C\u002Fa> $5.48 billion in 2011 and is expected to reach $13.6 billion in 2018, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 12.6% from 2012. Surgical robots are expected to enjoy the largest revenue share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For this reason, it is of utmost importance to keep an eye on robotics companies and start-ups with the mission to build a more democratic, transparent and efficient healthcare through their technological innovation. Here are the most promising ones!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"708\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobot-and-human-handshake.jpg\" alt=\"Robot And Human Handshake - Healthcare Companies in Robotics\" class=\"wp-image-15104\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobot-and-human-handshake.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobot-and-human-handshake-768x625.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobot-and-human-handshake-512x417.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobot-and-human-handshake-307x250.jpg 307w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>1) Surgical robotics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the fastest-growing field of robotics in healthcare concerns surgeons and their profession at “\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-technological-future-of-surgery\u002F\">the top of the medical food chain\u003C\u002Fa>”. Surgical robots are the prodigies of surgery. According to market analysis, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F3039586\u002Fhealthcare-it\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\">the industry is about to boom\u003C\u002Fa>. By 2020, surgical robotics sales are expected to almost double to $6.4 billion. The following companies are the most important players on the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>a) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitivesurgical.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Intuitive Surgical\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most commonly known surgical robot is the \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.davincisurgery.com\u002F\">da Vinci Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa>; and believe it or not, it was introduced already 15 years ago! The company, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitivesurgical.com\u002F\">Intuitive Surgical\u003C\u002Fa> raised $46 million in an initial public offering in 2000 and in the same year, became the first robotic surgical system cleared by the FDA for general laparoscopic surgery. Since then, da Vinci has been used for more than 3 million minimally invasive procedures in various surgical specialties. The product features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand. The surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times; and is able to carry out more precise operations than previously thought possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, there are already some concerns regarding the da Vinci, which might also resonate with the general aversion towards robots. Intuitive Surgical \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.massdevice.com\u002Fintuitive-surgical-dodges-class-action-lawsuit-da-vinci-robot-assisted-surgery-device\u002F\">recently avoided a class-action lawsuit\u003C\u002Fa> over the da Vinci robot after plaintiffs claimed that the robot left tiny metallic particles in the body that eventually made their way to the brain. Company officials expect da Vinci system \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.massdevice.com\u002Fintuitive-surgical-expects-slowdown-da-vinci-sales\u002F\">procedures to grow\u003C\u002Fa> to 9% this year, down from the 15% growth seen in 2016. Also, Intuitive Surgical has a serious competitor as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fool.com\u002Finvesting\u002F2016\u002F09\u002F21\u002Fmove-over-intuitive-surgical-heres-how-johnson-joh.aspx\">Johnson&Johnson and Google recently teamed up to “build a better robot”\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How the da Vinci Surgical System Robot Works - Explanation & Demonstration - Christian Hospital\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FDLj4ImsVkDQ?start=3&feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">b) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.transenterix.com\u002F\">Transenterix\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The medical device company was founded in 2006, and represents the biggest competitor for Intuitive Surgical in the field of urology, gynecology or colorectal surgery. It is pioneering the use of robotics to improve minimally invasive surgery by addressing the clinical and economic challenges associated with current laparoscopic and robotic options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After the FDA \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.newsobserver.com\u002Fnews\u002Fbusiness\u002Farticle76942852.html\">rejected its SurgiBot robotics technology\u003C\u002Fa> in 2016, the company laid off a third of its staff and had to rethink its strategy. It started to focus on another technology, the ALF-X, which the company rebranded as the Senhance Robotic Surgical System. Transenterix is trying to get it approved for hospital use in the U.S. as soon as possible. The Senhance, which TransEnterix acquired last year for $100 million, is already approved in Europe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=xNrtydl4KyA\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv> \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>c) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmedrobotics.com\">\u003Cstrong>Medrobotics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Founded in 2005, Massachusetts-based \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmedrobotics.com\">Medrobotics\u003C\u002Fa> received FDA clearance for its Flex Robotic System in July 2015. It raised $147.4 million so far to develop a medical robot built on exclusive worldwide licenses for robotics technology from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. The stunning result, the Flex Robotic System allows physicians through its snakelike design and its 180º path to access anatomical locations that are traditionally harder to reach, such as the ear, nose or throat. Surgeons now have a magnified, HD view of anatomical structures for minimally invasive procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=lCBuyEGDHEE\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>d) Verb Surgical\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In December 2015, Google’s Alphabet and Johnson&Johnson announced the formation of Verb Surgical, the offspring of the strategic partnership between \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.ethicon.com\u002F\">Ethicon\u003C\u002Fa>, a medical devices subsidiary of Johnson&Johnson, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fverily.com\u002F\">Verily Life Sciences\u003C\u002Fa>, formerly known as Google Life Sciences. It seems J&J really wants to challenge Intuitive Surgical. The company is building a surgical solutions platform that began several years earlier as a concept built between Ethicon and \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.sri.com\u002F\">SRI International\u003C\u002Fa>. Verb Surgical utilizes the medical instrumentation technology developed by Ethicon, while the “big data” and machine learning expertise comes from Google to develop a so-called “digital surgical platform” that will also include robotics as well. They refer to their surgical system as “digital surgery” and claim it will cost much less than Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-verb-surgical.jpg\" alt=\"Google Verb Surgical - Healthcare Companies in Robotics\" class=\"wp-image-15107\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-verb-surgical.jpg 696w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-verb-surgical-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fgoogle-verb-surgical-375x250.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>e) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.hansenmedical.com\">\u003Cstrong>Hansen Medical\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The California-based company designs and produces medical robotics for positioning and control of catheter-based technologies since 2002. Hansen Medical manufactures two types of catheter technologies for two types of diseases, the Sensei Robotic Catheter System for electrophysiology procedures and the Magellan Robotic System for the treatment of vascular diseases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For example, if the patient’s heart has arrhythmia, meaning it cannot beat properly and cannot pump blood effectively, one possible treatment is an electrophysiology procedure. It requires delivery of a catheter from the patient’s groin, through the blood vessels, into the chambers of the heart. Physicians then steer the tip of the catheter to problematic areas in order to deliver radiofrequency energy and create a scar in the heart tissue. These scars are intended to block erratic electrical impulses. As the procedure is time-consuming and delicate, physicians need accurate, flexible and effective catheters, such as the ones provided by Hansen Medical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Learn: Sensei X2 Robotic System by Hansen Medical\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FPjXQLkiq8io?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>f) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.medtech.fr\u002F\">MEDTECH\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv id=\"block-block-3\" class=\"block block-block even\">\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">Founded in 2002 in Montpellier, MEDTECH is a European specialist in the design, development and marketing of innovative robotic appliances to assist surgeons in the OR, first of all during brain and spine surgeries. These require utmost precision and fine-tuned technology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">In 2007, MEDTECH developed ROSA, an innovative technological device devoted to  brain surgery procedures. It has been approved in Europe, the US, Canada, China. Since 2011, the French company has extended its platform’s scope of intervention to spine surgery, with the development of ROSA Spine. For the latter, MEDTECH obtained FDA clearance in January, 2016.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=uBm-1vG3yUY\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>g) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.titanmedicalinc.com\">Titan Medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">The Canadian company also focuses on the design, development and commercialization of new robotic surgical technologies. Currently, its SPORT surgical system for application in minimally invasive surgery is under development, so it has not hit the market yet. Titan Medical plans to introduce it first in Europe, then in the US \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fseekingalpha.com\u002Farticle\u002F3066426-the-rise-of-the-robots-the-story-of-titan-medical\">earliest in mid-2017\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">SPORT includes a 3D vision system and interactive instruments for performing minimally invasive procedures; and a surgeon workstation that provides the surgeon with an interface to the robotic platform for controlling the interactive instruments and providing a 3D endoscopic view of inside a patient’s body during procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Titan Medical's SPORT single port robot\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FjIvjvcKA6xQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>h) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.microbotmedical.com\">Microbot Medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">The US-based medical device company is offering robotic technology smaller than your fingernails! Its current platforms are comprised of two highly advanced micro-robotic technologies. The ViRob, a crawling, tiny micro-robot can navigate in blood vessels, the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Its unique structure gives it the ability to move in tight spaces and curved passages as well as the ability to remain within the human body for prolonged time. For example, surgeons could successfully treat patients suffering from hydrocephalus, also known as “water in the brain”. Microbot Medical’s other innovation, TipCat is a needle-like, self-propelled, flexible and semi-disposable endoscope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Micro crawling robot - VIROB\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FF69J8JDNj8M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>i) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cyberknife.com\u002F\">Cyberknife System\u003C\u002Fa> created by \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.accuray.com\u002F\">Accuray\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">The CyberKnife System is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.itnonline.com\u002Fcontent\u002Fcyberknife-system-treats-tumors-anywhere-body\">the first and only dedicated radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors\u003C\u002Fa> with crisp accuracy anywhere in the body. It provides an option to many patients diagnosed with inoperable or surgically complex tumors, or patients who may be looking for an alternative to surgery. The CyberKnife System is designed to deliver precise targeting accuracy with conformality and dose gradient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp style=\"text-align: justify;\">There are 140 medical facilities worldwide, which chose the Cyberknife System, with more than 50 thousand patients treated successfully. The innovative treatment solution is created by the California-based Accuray, which offers a complete portfolio of radiation therapy and radiosurgery platforms for treating multiple forms of cancer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"CyberKnife Brain Tumor Animation\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FikHqxQGRdfc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch1 style=\"text-align: justify;\">\u003Cstrong>2) Bringing robotics to pharma and medication management\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh1>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Automation eases the work of medical professionals throughout the whole healthcare spectrum, but it is especially needed in nursing, where monotonous and repetitive tasks burden even the most enthusiastic workers. When it comes to medication management or other workflow problems, the 21\u003Csup>st\u003C\u002Fsup> century solution should be everywhere: robotics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>a) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.aethon.com\">\u003Cstrong>Aethon\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Aethon, founded in 2004 and based in Pittsburgh, is best known for its TUG autonomous mobile delivery robot which is able to carry around a multitude of racks, carts or bins up to 453 kilograms in the form of medications, laboratory specimens or other sensitive materials. The TUG is sent or requested using a touch screen interface and upon completing its “mission”, it returns to the charging dock for a sip of energy while it is loaded for the next job. The TUG has become commonplace in hospitals and makes over 50,000 deliveries each week in over 140 hospitals throughout the United States.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And why the name, you ask? The company says Aethon (pronounced ā-thon) is taken from one of the four horses of ancient Greek mythology that pulls Helios’ chariot – the sun – across the sky each day, resembling their efforts to set their sights high and work hard to bring results. Great philosophy, I would say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon.jpg\" alt=\"TUG by AETHON - Healthcare Companies in Robotics\" class=\"wp-image-15108\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Ftug-by-aethon-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>b) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.aesynt.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Aesynt\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From South America to the Middle East, Aesynt offers medication management solutions for all medication forms, including health robotics IV automation and workflow solutions for sterile compounding to over 80 customers across the world. They promise to develop solutions to manage shortages, address the safety risks of manual compounding, and provide enterprise-wide connectivity and visibility. The company \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.marketwatch.com\u002Fstory\u002Fomnicell-to-acquire-aesynt-for-275-million-2015-10-29\">was named Aesynt in 2013\u003C\u002Fa>, after private-equity firm Francisco Partners bought McKesson Automation. In 2016, the company was acquired by Omnicell for $275 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Aeysnt Robot Rx 2014\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoQTVUjUYWaM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>c) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Finnovat.com\">\u003Cstrong>Innovation Associates\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I believe Innovation Associates is one of the oldest company on my list. It was established by Harry Boyer in 1972 as an engineering\u002Ftechnical services manufacturing company, but after more than two decades it completely shifted the focus to pharmacy automation. Nowadays, it is a leading provider of pharmacy automation technologies to the retail, hospital, government and other pharmacy markets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>From workflow management until innovative counting technologies and beyond, Innovation Associates provides 21\u003Csup>st\u003C\u002Fsup> century technology for pharmacies aiming to be always on the top of their game. Moreover, they offer the PharmASSIST ROBOTx, a robotic medical dispenser system, with a built-in dispensing capacity range, which helps any given facility “right-size” its system for its volume. It is also designed with robust data mining capabilities, so the pharmacy can gain valuable insights about its efficiency all the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"275\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsmartcab-optfulfil-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15117\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsmartcab-optfulfil-2.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsmartcab-optfulfil-2-768x243.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsmartcab-optfulfil-2-512x162.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsmartcab-optfulfil-2-458x145.jpg 458w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3) Exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Exoskeletons are robotic structures that can help a human being move around and lift huge weights. They can also let paralyzed people walk again. For example, a gait-training exoskeleton, suit \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\">helped Matt Ficarra, paralyzed from the chest down, walk down the aisle\u003C\u002Fa> on his wedding day! How amazing is that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>a) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002Fproduct\u002Fekso-bionics-ekso-gt\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In November 2013, I attended an event organized by the Singularity University in Budapest at the amazing venue of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fexoskeletons-let-paralyzed-people-walk-again-video\u002F\">We listened to Amanda Boxtel\u003C\u002Fa>, who got paralyzed from a spinal cord injury in a ski accident in Aspen, Colorado in 1992. She told us how she felt after getting the diagnosis of never being able to walk again and how she refused to stop dreaming. Since then, she has established adaptive ski programs, carried the Olympic torch, organized disabled rafting expeditions, and even conducted research in the Antarctica. She has also become one of the ambassadors of Ekso Bionics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their exoskeletons are used by individuals with various degrees of paralysis and stemming by a variety of causes. Ekso Bionics have helped individuals take more than 70 million steps since its establishment that would not have been possible otherwise. Currently, it is utilized in over 130 rehabilitation centers across the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>b) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.burttherapy.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Burt Therapy\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As a fresh spin-off from the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at MIT in 1990, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.burttherapy.com\u002F\">Burt Therapy\u003C\u002Fa> started to work on the first haptic robot arm, named the WAM arm. It proved to be so ground-breaking that it got listed in the special Millennium Edition of the Guinness Book of Records as being the world’s most advanced robotic arm. It is able to interact directly with humans through subtle force interactions. Last year, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum launched a major exhibit highlighting two physically interactive WAM arms and BarrettHands. Currently, Burt Therapy is excitedly preparing to launch a completely new product line in the field of robotic stroke rehabilitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WAM Arm Backdrivability and Redundancy\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoAjfjU7yxoY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>c) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.cyberdyne.jp\u002Fenglish\">\u003Cstrong>Cyberdyne\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Japanese firm, Cyberdyne was established by Dr. Yoshiyuki Sankai, University of Tsukuba, Japan, in order to materialize his idea to utilize Robot Suit HAL “for the benefits of humankind in the field of medicine, caregiving, welfare, labour, heavy works or entertainment”. Cyberdyne, established in 2004, developed its HAL robot suit to be able to augment human capabilities – in support of care-giving as well as working with heavy loads in factories. So the company has nothing to do with the fictitious company from the Terminator movie series Cyberdyne Systems, nor has the product anything in common with Space Odyssey’s HAL 9000 artificial intelligence program, which had not exactly the welfare of humanity in its artificial mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Cyberdyne HAL Robot Suit and Cybernics research #DigInfo\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F_8VhW9JIwUk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>d) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.hocoma.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Hocoma\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Swiss company, established in 1996, develops and manufactures robotic and sensor-based devices for functional movement therapy. It has hubs in the US, Singapore, Slovenia and Chile, and almost 50 partners worldwide. Hocoma’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.roboticsbusinessreview.com\u002Fcompany\u002Fhocoma\u002F\">therapy solutions support\u003C\u002Fa> the treatment of neurological patients with movement disorders caused by stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy or other neurological diseases and injuries as well as low back pain patients. Products include medical devices used for robotic treadmill training of neurological patients and exoskeleton for the rehabilitation of upper extremities after stroke or traumatic brain injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"New technology in physical therapy with the Andago - Product presentation\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FLEekAPRRfuw?list=PLeIQpgcm-K09zjcB-prdFqIW--F_pOAfa\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>e) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Frewalk.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Rewalk Robotics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Behind every inspiring company, there is a human story. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.roboticsbusinessreview.com\u002Fcompany\u002Frewalk-robotics\u002F\">Dr. Amit Goffer founded ReWalk Robotics in 2001\u003C\u002Fa>, following a life-altering accident that rendered him a quadriplegic. He pioneered the invention and development of the ReWalk Robotics wearable exoskeleton, enabling individuals with lower limb paralysis to walk again. Even though the technology does not currently enable him to walk again due to the extent of his injuries, his tenacity to develop a wearable exoskeleton so that others could walk paved the way for the ReWalk Rehabilitation and Personal systems to be used by more than 1,000 people around the world today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"ReWalk Exoskeleton from ReWalk Robotics\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FcBzwbbTPJg0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>f) \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.rehatechnology.com\u002Fen\u002F\">Reha Technology\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Swiss company designs and manufactures robotic-assisted devices, e.g. robotic gait trainers for the rehabilitation of neurological movement disorders. Its G-EO System Evolution is used by various medical facilities for example in Switzerland, Germany or the Czech Republic\u003Cspan id=\"result_box\" class=\"\" lang=\"en\">.\u003C\u002Fspan> The G-EO System robotic gait trainer allows the patient to move their legs through a range of normal walking patterns that encourage repetitive learning in the brain cells, said a stroke patient about the device.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Pediatric G-EO System\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FjtnKHd4noy0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.xenex.com\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Xenex Technologies\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> – For absolute hygiene in hospitals\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company, founded by two enthusiastic epidemiologists in Houston, has grown from a small start-up to a sizeable company since its establishment in 2008. Currently, it has a presence in 400 hospitals across the US and constantly growing. Its success lies in its world-class product, the germ-zapping Xenex Robot, which might constitute the next level of hygiene. A hospital even \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.watertowndailytimes.com\u002Fnews03\u002Flewis-county-general-hospital-to-get-hector-the-germ-zapping-robot-20170202\">polled its colleagues about how to call the smart machine\u003C\u002Fa> – and named it Hector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It allows for fast and effective systematic disinfection of any space within a healthcare facility. This helpful automatic tool destroys deadly microorganisms causing HAIs (hospital acquired infections) by utilizing \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.xenex.com\u002Fhow-uv-disinfection-works\">special UV disinfection methodologies\u003C\u002Fa>. The Xenex Robot is more effective in causing cellular damage to microorganisms than other devices for disinfection, thus the number of HAIs might be more effectively reduced. Westchester Medical Center reported a 70 per cent drop in Intensive Care Unit \u003Cem>C. diff\u003C\u002Fem> with the use of Xenex Robots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5) Telepresence Robots\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fscary-medical-technologies-we-have-to-get-used-to\u002F\">Doctor shortages are global phenomena\u003C\u002Fa>. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there is a worldwide shortage of around 4.3 million physicians, nurses, and allied health workers. We will never be able to train as many doctors as we need worldwide. Robots with telemedical devices will certainly appear in more and more clinics and it’s going to be a common element of care to see them in practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>a) \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.intouchhealth.com\u002F\">Intouch Health\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through its vast network, patients in remote areas or people who are not able to travel have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, and burn services exactly when they need it. Moreover with telehealth, medical professionals in rural towns and remote areas also have access to specialty services, while patients can be treated in their own communities. The InTouch Telehealth Network supports more than 130,000 annual encounters, 11,000 doctors and clinicians, and 1,250 patient access locations with an annualized growth rate of 25% or one hospital per day. Thus, the California-based company is obviously growing exponentially. It currently employs more than 200 people serving 15 major markets in 30 countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"InTouch Health in Action | InTouch Health's Telehealth Network\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FgUfxgwJfq3M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>b) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.vgocom.com\u002Fcompany\">\u003Cstrong>VGo Communications\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company offering a wide range of video communication solutions, was founded in 2007 by experienced and successful veterans of visual communications and robotics industries. In healthcare, doctors and nurses are using VGo to extend their reach to monitor and consult with patients in the hospital, skilled nursing facility and in the home. Family members are also using VGo to visit loved ones when they can’t be there in person. In 2015, the start-up was acquired by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.vecna.com\u002F\">Vecna Technologies\u003C\u002Fa>, developing automated robotic solutions for material handling, enterprise patient engagement solutions for healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15118\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fvgo-feature-1-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>6) Robotic Companions\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the developed countries, alienation and loneliness causes major problems, health troubles included. Robotics aim to offer solutions in order to enable elderly and other people without the necessary social support to connect with the world. There are various types of robot companions – human or animal shaped, smaller or bigger -, but they all share one thing: their goal is to make life more enjoyable and easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>a) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"luvozo.com\">\u003Cstrong>Luvozo PBC\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Founded in 2013, the company has been focusing on developing solutions for improving quality of life for older adults and persons with disabilities. In July 2015, it started testing its flagship product — Sam, the robotic concierge — in a leading senior living community in the Washington D.C. area. The human-sized, smiling robot combines the very best in cutting-edge technology and human touch to provide frequent check-ins and non-medical care for residents in long-term care settings. By doing so, it reduces the costs of care, while raises patient satisfaction index by simply being there for the elderly all the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15111\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsam-the-robotic-concierge.jpg\" alt=\"SAM the robotic concierge - Healthcare Companies in Robotics\" width=\"1274\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsam-the-robotic-concierge.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsam-the-robotic-concierge-768x617.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsam-the-robotic-concierge-512x411.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fsam-the-robotic-concierge-311x250.jpg 311w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1274px) 100vw, 1274px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>b) \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fworld.honda.com\u002FHondaRobotics\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>Honda Robotics\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 1986, Honda engineers set out to create a robot that could walk. Two decades later, they presented ASIMO, a full humanoid robot, able not only to walk but also to run, climb steps and even carry a tray or push a cart. It can also comprehend and respond to simple voice commands. ASIMO has the ability to recognize the face of a select group of individuals. Using its camera eyes, the robot can map its environment and register stationary objects. It is simply amazing! It might be the world’s most advanced humanoid robot at the moment. Honda hopes that someday it will help with such important tasks as assisting the elderly or a person confined to bed or wheelchair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"583\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fasimo.jpg\" alt=\"ASIMO - Healthcare Companies in Robotics\" class=\"wp-image-15112\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fasimo.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fasimo-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fasimo-512x343.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Fasimo-373x250.jpg 373w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>c) AIST\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It is a well-known fact that pets and cute animals help to ease stress; to divert attention from pain and to reduce the feeling of loneliness. Unfortunately, not every hospital or extended care facility allows animals to live next to patients. Leading Japanese industrial automation pioneer, AIST comes into the picture here. It developed \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.parorobots.com\u002F\">PARO, an advanced interactive robot\u003C\u002Fa>. It allows the documented benefits of animal therapy to be administered to patients in medical environments. For it has the shape of a baby harp seal covered with soft artificial fur to make people feel comfortable, as if they are touching a real animal. This therapeutic robot reduces the stress factor experienced both by patients and by their caregivers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Paro (Personal Assistive Robot)\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FTyEY8BUuPsc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you know about other companies disrupting healthcare through robotics, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FBerci\">please let us know\u003C\u002Fa>! And if you are curious about developments and innovations of medical start-ups, subscribe to The Medical Futurist Special Newsletter, where you can receive information about the future first-hand!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Robotics has the power to completely reshape the landscape of healthcare both in its structure and its operation. Here, you find my own list about the most relevant companies and start-ups on the healthcare robotics market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,15115,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32],521,512,[34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44],266,652,271,275,289,313,356,377,517,246,625,[],[],[48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56],1631,1723,1851,1883,2389,2393,2395,2935,5477,[58,14,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70,71,72,73,74,75,76],"post-15101","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-future-medicine","category-robotics","tag-google-2","tag-robot-companion","tag-health","tag-healthcare","tag-innovation","tag-medicine","tag-pharma-2","tag-robotics-2","tag-gc1","tag-future","tag-surgical-robot",{"id":24,"alt_text":27,"caption":78,"description":27,"media_type":79,"media_details":80,"post":5,"source_url":113},"Robotic surgery isometric icons set with  surgeons patients and medical robots with widescreen touch screen and touch control isolated vector illustration","image",{"width":81,"height":82,"file":83,"sizes":84,"image_meta":110},870,435,"2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set.jpg",{"medium":85,"large":91,"thumbnail":96,"medium_large":100,"large_old_512x256":101,"medium_old_458x229":105},{"file":86,"width":87,"height":88,"mime-type":89,"source_url":90},"robotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-370x208.jpg",{"file":92,"width":93,"height":94,"mime-type":89,"source_url":95},"robotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-768x384.jpg",768,384,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-768x384.jpg",{"file":97,"width":98,"height":98,"mime-type":89,"source_url":99},"robotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-150x150.jpg",{"file":92,"width":93,"height":94,"mime-type":89,"source_url":95},{"file":102,"width":32,"height":103,"mime-type":89,"source_url":104},"robotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-512x256.jpg",256,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-512x256.jpg",{"file":106,"width":107,"height":108,"mime-type":89,"source_url":109},"robotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-458x229.jpg",458,229,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set-458x229.jpg",{"aperture":111,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":111,"copyright":27,"focal_length":111,"iso":111,"shutter_speed":111,"title":27,"orientation":111,"keywords":112},"0",[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F03\u002Frobotic-surgery-isometric-icons-set.jpg",{"related_posts":115,"related_posts_footer":119,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[116,117,118],21023,21349,21185,[120,121,122],14811,13329,13689,{"yoast_wpseo_title":124,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":125,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"Top Healthcare Companies In Robotics - The Medical Futurist","I compiled a list about the most relevant healthcare companies in robotics ranging from start-ups to tech giants. Check it out!",{"self":127,"collection":133,"about":136,"author":139,"replies":142,"version-history":145,"predecessor-version":149,"wp:featuredmedia":153,"wp:attachment":156,"wp:term":159,"curies":175},[128],{"href":129,"targetHints":130},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15101",{"allow":131},[132],"GET",[134],{"href":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[137],{"href":138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[140],{"embeddable":26,"href":141},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[143],{"embeddable":26,"href":144},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=15101",[146],{"count":147,"href":148},44,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15101\u002Frevisions",[150],{"id":151,"href":152},43223,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F15101\u002Frevisions\u002F43223",[154],{"embeddable":26,"href":155},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F15115",[157],{"href":158},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=15101",[160,163,166,169,172],{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":162},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=15101",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":165},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=15101",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":168},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=15101",{"taxonomy":170,"embeddable":26,"href":171},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=15101",{"taxonomy":173,"embeddable":26,"href":174},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=15101",[176],{"name":177,"href":178,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[180],{"id":122,"date":181,"date_gmt":182,"guid":183,"modified":185,"modified_gmt":186,"slug":187,"status":13,"type":14,"link":188,"title":189,"content":191,"excerpt":193,"author":23,"featured_media":195,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":196,"categories":197,"tags":199,"project_category":216,"contact_email_category":218,"yst_prominent_words":219,"class_list":235,"better_featured_image":255,"acf":292,"yoast_meta":309,"_links":312},"2025-05-19T08:58:28","2025-05-19T06:58:28",{"rendered":184},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=13689","2025-05-19T08:58:30","2025-05-19T06:58:30","medical-robots","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmedical-robots",{"rendered":190},"From Surgeries To Keeping Company: The Place Of Robots In Healthcare",{"rendered":192,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>Assisting surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, keeping company: believe it or not these are the tasks medical robots will soon undertake in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office. These new ‘colleagues’ will definitely make a difference in every field of medicine. Here’s our overview to understand robotics in healthcare better so that everyone can prepare for the appearance of mechanic helpers in medical facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One important notice as a prelude to this topic. In many people’s minds – unconsciously – artificial intelligence and robots get mixed up: when they hear about AI, they automatically imagine robots. However, the two are not (necessarily) the same: the ‘brain’ is in the software, the robot is just an actuator.    Most of the below examples are not intelligent, not by human standards, nor even at the problem-solving level of large language models.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Metallic allies for the benefit of the vulnerable\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While there are concerns about machines replacing people in the workforce, we believe there are advantages to the renewal of the distribution of tasks. Machines don’t need sleep or food, don’t have prejudices, and definitely won’t grunt about why they need to complete the same monotonous tasks for the thousandth time – for example washing up to the hospital floor or bringing medicine up the 10th floor. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Thus, we could imagine how healthcare robots could take over administrative and\u002For monotonous tasks that people like to skip anyway; while medical professionals, doctors, and nurses can truly devote their precious time to the job that they signed up for – caring for the sick and vulnerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Are We Afraid Of Androids But Love Humanoid Robots? - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FsbTl_9dTo7Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With some preparation and forethought, we can make sure the human touch stays relevant in medicine while taking advantage of our metallic allies. For this reason, we collected here the most useful robots in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Robotic nurses dressing mannequins and bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Delicate movement, like gently handling an elderly patient is traditionally the most challenging task to robots, who are much faster developing in intellectual tasks than matching humans in fine-motor skills. But there is undoubtedly impressive progress. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It was huge news in 2022 when a two-armed robot \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.newscientist.com\u002Farticle\u002F2315052-robotic-nurse-can-dress-a-mannequin-in-a-hospital-gown\u002F#ixzz7Q9FU2G7i\" target=\"_blank\">could grasp a folded hospital gown\u003C\u002Fa> and dress a medical mannequin lying on a bed. The technology is still not yet ready for use by people, but it is an experimental step towards artificial nurses in hospitals. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"615\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002Frobotic-nurse-dressig-a-mannequin2.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42041\"\u002F>\u003Cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Science.org\u003C\u002Ffigcaption>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Fan Zhang and Yiannis Demiris at Imperial College London tested their robot in a scenario that closely mimicked the Certified Nursing Assistant test used in US healthcare, in which a trainee nurse has to put an open-backed robe on a person with weak or paralysed arms. Instead of a human, however, they used a mannequin designed for medical training. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Personal Robotic Lab at the Imperial College has multiple fascinating projects underway, aiming to offer assistance in tasks like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fieeexplore.ieee.org\u002Fdocument\u002F10517379\" target=\"_blank\">bed-bathing patients\u003C\u002Fa>, or Blueberry, a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.imperial.ac.uk\u002Fpersonal-robotics\u002Fparticipate\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">dual-arm assistive wheelchair\u003C\u002Fa> that may one day assist in everyday tasks like eating and opening doors. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Surgical robots for surgical precision\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Surgery is an unpleasant experience at best. The waiting lists can be long depending on available manpower and resources. Thus, surgical robots are the prodigies of surgery. According to market analysis, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F1658250\u002Fa-robot-will-likely-assist-in-your-future-surgery.html\" target=\"_blank\">the industry is about to boom\u003C\u002Fa>. By 2027, global surgical \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saranextgen.com\u002Fhomeworkhelp\u002Findex.php?id=3071\">robotics sales are expected to reach \u003C\u002Fa>$14.8 billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The most commonly known surgical robot is the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.intuitive.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fproducts-and-services\u002Fda-vinci\" target=\"_blank\">da Vinci Surgical System\u003C\u002Fa>, and believe it or not, it was introduced almost 25 years ago! It features a magnified 3D high-definition vision system and tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate to a far greater extent than the human hand. While the surgeon is 100% in control of the robotic system at all times, they can carry out more precise operations than previously thought possible. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The field has developed with lightning speed in recent years, with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F5-things-that-could-shape-surgical-robotics-in-the-next-decade\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">major new trends\u003C\u002Fa> and a market with a good number of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002F10-surgical-robotics-companies-worth-following-in-2024\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">established players\u003C\u002Fa>. Clinical use is already accepted, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fneocis-brings-in-20m-for-robotic-dental-surgeries\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new FDA approvals\u003C\u002Fa> and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Faim-medical-robotics-starting-1st-human-clinical-study-for-mri-compatible-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">new trials\u003C\u002Fa> are \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fmicrobot-medical-completes-1st-clinical-trial-of-surgical-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">underway\u003C\u002Fa> targeting new niches, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Fcmr-surgical-begins-1st-pediatric-clinical-trial-with-versius\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">pediatric surgeries\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Medtronic Robotic-Assisted Surgery Solutions\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FMT8DrPaJVEg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>3\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Blood drawing and disinfector robots help put ‘care’ back into healthcare\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During a hospital stay, patients interact with nurses the most. Like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-future-of-nurses-superheros-aided-by-technology\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shiva, the eight-armed Indian goddess, they are there, usually in 12-hour shifts\u003C\u002Fa>, to draw blood, check your vital signs, monitor your condition and take care of your hygiene if needed. They are often overwhelmed by physically and mentally daunting tasks, and the result is often an unpleasant experience for everyone involved. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic nurses will help carry this burden in the future. They are designed to be able to carry out repetitive and monotonous tasks, so human staff can have more energy to deal with issues that require human decision-making skills, creativity, and most of all, care and empathy. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A few years ago, we wrote about Veebot, a robot capable of drawing blood quickly and effectively. Since then, the concept has become a reality. In 2022, Vitestro announced their ‘Autonomous blood drawing device’, which has performed 1500 blood draws on over 1000 patients. They have started a\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fvitestro.com\u002Fvitestro-starts-trial-in-autonomous-blood-drawing-with-enrollment-of-first-patients-in-a-d-o-p-t\u002F#:~:text=Vitestro-,Vitestro%20starts%20largest%2Dscale%20clinical%20trial%20worldwide%20for%20autonomous%20blood,blood%20drawing%20device%20(image).\" target=\"_blank\"> large-scale clinical trial\u003C\u002Fa> involving 10,000 patients, expected to last two years, with plans to obtain CE marking by the end of 2024.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Watch this robot draw blood from a patient\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIpdTeGPruFA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Faethon.com\u002Fproducts\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Autonomous mobile delivery robots\u003C\u002Fa> might also become the favorite of nurses. These can carry around a multitude of racks, carts, or bins up to 500 kilograms in the form of medications, laboratory specimens, or other sensitive materials – so the hospital staff can do other, more important assignments. And when it’s done, the robot returns to the charging dock for a sip of energy, waiting for the next job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>4\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robotic assistance for a better life\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>But robotics in healthcare means so much more than drawing blood or carrying around racks. With remote-controlled medical robots, caretakers can interact with their patients, check on their living conditions and the need for further appointments. This would help efficiency a great deal by eliminating time-consuming home visits. We have seen a number of examples, Canada experimenting with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\u002Fpmc\u002Farticles\u002FPMC8808201\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">robot-comrades\u003C\u002Fa> since the 2016 introduction of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Ftoronto\u002Frobot-alzheimers-1.3696249\" target=\"_blank\">Ludwig\u003C\u002Fa>, and some elderly care facilities in Ireland introducing \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irishtimes.com\u002Fbusiness\u002Finnovation\u002Fthe-irish-robot-helping-older-people-live-independently-1.4628719\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie\u003C\u002Fa> to their residents. And we could go on and on with the examples of social robots involved in elderly care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"Stevie the robot helps an elderly patient\" class=\"wp-image-40845\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FStevie-helping-an-elderly-patient.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A human-sized, smiling robot combines the very best in cutting-edge technology and human touch to provide frequent check-ins and non-medical care for residents in long-term care settings. By doing so, it reduces the costs of care while raising the patient satisfaction index by simply being there for the elderly all the time. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>5\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Telemedical network for increasing accessibility \u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Chances are you have been in a situation before where, if an accident were to happen, medical professionals would not have been able to reach you in time. To some of us in the developed world, it’s a rare occurrence. But even in 2024, millions live outside the reach of conventional emergency services be it in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fremarkable-examples-of-telemedicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Vanuatu or the Inuit communities up North in Canada\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.teladoc.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Teladoc\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.doctorondemand.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Doctor on Demand\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthtap.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Health Tap\u003C\u002Fa>, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.americanwell.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">American Well\u003C\u002Fa> patients in remote areas have access to high-quality emergency consultations for stroke, cardiovascular, dermatological problems, or any other complaints. On the patient’s side, it can be accessed on a tablet or personal computer, and clinicians can also use the same type of device as best suits their needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"InTouch Health in Action | InTouch Health's Telehealth Network\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FgUfxgwJfq3M?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The power of exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Rather than move around independently to clean surfaces or handle deliveries, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fthe-state-of-exoskeletons-in-healthcare\" target=\"_blank\">exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> wrap around the user’s body to support them physically. This offers tremendous assistance to those with disabled limbs, and rehabilitation is where exoskeletons initially made much progress in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>California-based \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feksobionics.com\u002Feksohealth\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa> is one of the best-known companies that develop bionic suits to provide power to the upper and lower body of patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, and acquired brain injuries. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Exoskeletons started finding their place in healthcare systems. In 2023 ReWalk (now called Lifeward) \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.therobotreport.com\u002Frewalk-robotics-announces-solidified-medicare-coverage-for-personal-exoskeleton\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">announced\u003C\u002Fa> that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule for reinbursing their exoskeleton technology, which was followed by another similar announcement \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fir.eksobionics.com\u002Fpress-releases\u002Fdetail\u002F756\u002Fekso-bionics-receives-final-payment-determination-for\" target=\"_blank\">from Ekso Bionics\u003C\u002Fa>. We can expect further announcements to come, as there are over a dozen \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accessdata.fda.gov\u002Fscripts\u002Fcdrh\u002Fcfdocs\u002FcfTPLC\u002Ftplc.cfm?id=PHL&min_report_year=2009\" target=\"_blank\">approved exoskeletons\u003C\u002Fa> on the FDA’s list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>While still relatively niche, the exoskeleton market has expanded in recent years. The Exoskeleton Report last \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fexoskeletonreport.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fupdated-directory-of-exoskeleton-companies-and-industry-statistics\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">updated its report in 2021\u003C\u002Fa>, which listed 118 companies worldwide working on 172 exoskeletons that were on sale or soon to be commercialized. Their directory listed 67 medical exoskeleton companies in 2024, some \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fglobal.toyota\u002Fen\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fcorporate\u002F30609584.html?_ga=2.42558818.672635075.1578376035-1427653775.1578376035\" target=\"_blank\">definitely surprising\u003C\u002Fa>. It represents a significant rise from the start of 2020, which registered 80 such companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You have seen them in movies, taken advantage of them in video games and now they are here for real: exoskeletons. For example, a gait-training exoskeleton suit \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-jaw-drapping-stories-of-digital-health-technology-saving-lives\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">helped Matt Ficarra, paralysed from the chest down, walk down the aisle\u003C\u002Fa> on his wedding day. But nothing stands as powerful a statement as the example of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Folympics.com\u002Fen\u002Fparis-2024\u002Folympic-torch-relay\u002Ftorchbearers\u002Fkevin-piette\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin Piette\u003C\u002Fa>, a French para-athlete, who became an Olympic torchbearer wearing a self-balancing exoskeleton developed by France’s Wandercraft – a company that already \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wandercraft.eu\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">has regulatory-approved robotic structures\u003C\u002Fa>. In his “civilian” life Piette works as an exoskeleton pilot, helping the company with product development. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Atalante : Early stage standing and overground walking\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FoDzJmiFNa7w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>7\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Robots in the supply chain\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Medical robots can not only undertake monotonous and repetitive tasks but also those that are potentially dangerous for humans – such as \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fbostondynamics.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fstretch\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">moving heavy boxes\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=tFrjrgBV8K0\" target=\"_blank\">testing chemical protection clothing\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Beyond robots that could be placed in situations potentially harmful to humans, robotics could have a big impact \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Frobotics-blockchain-redesign-pharma-supply-chain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">on pharmaceutical distribution chains\u003C\u002Fa>, too. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Robotic medical dispenser systems, medication management solutions help any given facility “right-size” its system for its volume. It is also an emerging best practice that these robots are designed with robust data mining capabilities, so pharmacies can gain valuable insights about their traffic and efficiency all the time. If medical robots were used for such tasks, pharmacists would have the time and the incentive to participate in the social aspect of healing: educate people about preventive measures, give practical advice, and therefore make sure that healthcare truly becomes caring. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"516\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42023\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-768x516.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot-1536x1031.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fpharmacy-dispersing-robot.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Robots disinfecting hospital rooms\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are an unfortunate consequence that anyone can be exposed to when admitted to or even visiting a hospital. In the U.S., \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cdc.gov\u002Fhealthcare-associated-infections\u002Fphp\u002Fdata\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\">the CDC estimates\u003C\u002Fa> that 1 in 31 patients has at least one infection associated with their hospital care. The Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine found in 2020 that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cebm.net\u002Fcovid-19\u002Fthe-ongoing-problem-of-hospital-acquired-infections-across-the-uk\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">17.6% of COVID-19 infections\u003C\u002Fa> were likely due to HAIs in England. With the help of UV disinfection medical robots, we can reduce these numbers significantly. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthline.com\u002Fhealth\u002Fdoes-uv-kill-coronavirus#uvc-light-and-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Studies have shown\u003C\u002Fa> that UV-C can reduce the amount of live coronavirus on surfaces by 99.7% in 30 seconds and 99.9% of airborne coronaviruses in about 25 minutes. And several companies are coupling UV-C with robots which are themselves impervious to infections. Danish company UVD Robots \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fautomaton\u002Frobotics\u002Fmedical-robots\u002Fautonomous-robots-are-helping-kill-coronavirus-in-hospitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shipped hundreds of its disinfectant robots\u003C\u002Fa> around the world during the pandemic. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42027\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F04\u002Fhospital-disinfection-robot.jpg 1240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Another disinfectant robot, Violet, can completely disinfect a CT scanner room in 15 minutes; a procedure that would take a human radiographer \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftime.com\u002F5825860\u002Fcoronavirus-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">up to 60 minutes\u003C\u002Fa>. Xenex \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cnbc.com\u002F2020\u002F03\u002F18\u002Fhow-china-is-using-robots-and-telemedicine-to-combat-the-coronavirus.html\" target=\"_blank\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> its LightStrike UV disinfection robots can disinfect dozens of rooms per day per robot. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>9\u003C\u002Fstrong>. Nanorobots swimming in blood\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2016, we released an article dedicated to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnanotechnology-in-medicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">nanotechnology in medicine\u003C\u002Fa>. In it, we shared examples like “nanoswimmers” developed by researchers that could pave the way for programmed drug delivery. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, practically all of the nanorobots came from research labs which were more proof-of-concepts than practical applications. Although news reports around the technology \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fenglish.radio.cz\u002Fbrno-scientists-developing-nanorobots-surgery-attacking-cancer-cells-8715866\" target=\"_blank\">still mostly revolve around\u003C\u002Fa> the theoretical\u002Fconceptual aspects, you can also find promising initiatives with good early results, like these \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.ki.se\u002Fnanorobot-with-hidden-weapon-kills-cancer-cells\" target=\"_blank\">cancer-killing nanobots\u003C\u002Fa> tested in mice. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is how digital health technologies often evolve: from conceptual stages in labs, through various iterations and testing stages before rolling out to a wider audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the emergence of digestibles and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftechnologies-shaping-the-future-of-pharma-e-book\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">digital pills\u003C\u002Fa>, we get closer to nanorobots step by step. On that front: researchers from the Max Planck Institute have been experimenting with exceptionally \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.gizmag.com\u002Fscallop-microbots-swim-body-max-planck\u002F34589\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">micro-sized – smaller than a millimeter – robots that literally swim through your bodily fluids \u003C\u002Fa>and could be used to deliver drugs or other medical relief in a highly targeted way. These scallop-like microbots are designed to swim through non-Newtonian fluids, like your bloodstream, around your lymphatic system, or across the slippery goo on the surface of your eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fjanetwburns\u002F2016\u002F05\u002F19\u002Ftiny-origami-robot-captures-intruders-patches-holes-in-stomach\u002F#827ca632208c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">origami robot\u003C\u002Fa>, despite its size, is just as impressive as a super-strong carrier one. When swallowed, the capsule containing it dissolves in the patient’s stomach and unfolds itself. Controlled by a technician with the help of magnetic fields it can patch up wounds in the stomach lining or safely remove foreign items such as swallowed toys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ingestible origami robot\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002F3Waj08gk7v8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fsocial-robots-are-robotic-pets-any-worse-than-the-real-ones\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Social companion robots\u003C\u002Fa> to cheer up and keep you company\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With the advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence, social companion robots started to take shape: these human or animal-shaped, smaller or bigger mechanic creatures are able to carry out different tasks and have interactions with humans and their environment. In the future, they might become every parent’s little helper in the kitchen, might support the guard dog in keeping the house safe, might teach the children and be their companion and support the elderly, from reminding them to take their medication to keep them company when they feel lonely. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some early examples on the market, like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FPepper_(robot)#:~:text=Production%20of%20Pepper%20was%20paused,2021%2C%20due%20to%20weak%20demand.\" target=\"_blank\">Pepper\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2020\u002F7\u002F23\u002F21325644\u002Fjibo-social-robot-ntt-disruptionfunding\" target=\"_blank\">Jibo\u003C\u002Fa> sadly went out of business due to weak demand, while others still have exorbitant price tags, like the \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.paroseal.co.uk\u002Fpurchase\" target=\"_blank\">therapeutic robot Paro\u003C\u002Fa>, which looks like a seal and costs a fortune, or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fozrobotics.com\u002Fshop\u002Fbuddy-social-companion-robot\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">Buddy\u003C\u002Fa>, which also carries a hefty price tag. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some of these pioneers had touch sensors, cameras, and microphones, thus their owners could get into discussions with them, ask them to find a great concert for that night or just remind them about their medications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg\" alt=\"Pepper medical robot\" class=\"wp-image-42029\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2019\u002F10\u002FPepper.jpg 1623w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Small and big, smiley and faceless, surgical and pharma dispensing ones: robotics moves in all shapes and forms with big leaps into healthcare. That might be scary for many, but they have the potential to do good: to bring medical care to regions where there is none to be found; to make the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals cheaper and more efficient; to lighten the load of medical professionals; to help people walk again. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>To reap the benefits and avoid the potential dangers of such a technological revolution, we need to keep ourselves informed about the strides that science makes so that we can better prepare and adapt to the not-so-distant future where medical robots play a crucial role and work closely with us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":194,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor’s office, making a difference in every field of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",57617,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,198,32],490,[200,201,40,202,203,41,204,205,206,207,208,209,43,210,37,211,212,213,214,215],329,723,376,968,1042,423,1155,1499,207,1501,1502,535,279,543,304,669,[217],950,[],[54,49,220,221,222,223,224,225,226,227,228,229,230,48,231,232,233,234],2397,1739,2613,2131,3187,2145,3347,2371,2373,2375,2377,2381,1683,2391,1715,[236,14,59,60,61,62,63,64,237,65,238,239,72,240,241,73,242,243,244,245,246,247,75,248,69,249,250,251,252,253,254],"post-13689","category-future-of-pharma","tag-nanotechnology","tag-telemedicine","tag-robot","tag-social-companion","tag-social-companion-robot","tag-surgery","tag-telemedical","tag-medical-robot","tag-digital-health","tag-nanorobot","tag-social","tag-pharmacies","tag-hospital","tag-future-of-hospital","tag-medical","tag-blood","project_category-medical-professionals",{"id":195,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":79,"media_details":256,"post":122,"source_url":291},{"width":257,"height":258,"file":259,"filesize":260,"sizes":261,"image_meta":289},6667,3750,"2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",673622,{"medium":262,"large":267,"thumbnail":272,"medium_large":276,"1536x1536":277,"2048x2048":283},{"file":263,"width":87,"height":88,"mime-type":264,"filesize":265,"source_url":266},"tmf_article_428-370x208.png","image\u002Fpng",25399,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-370x208.png",{"file":268,"width":93,"height":269,"mime-type":264,"filesize":270,"source_url":271},"tmf_article_428-768x432.png",432,60778,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-768x432.png",{"file":273,"width":98,"height":98,"mime-type":264,"filesize":274,"source_url":275},"tmf_article_428-150x150.png",11081,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-150x150.png",{"file":268,"width":93,"height":269,"mime-type":264,"filesize":270,"source_url":271},{"file":278,"width":279,"height":280,"mime-type":264,"filesize":281,"source_url":282},"tmf_article_428-1536x864.png",1536,864,140174,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-1536x864.png",{"file":284,"width":285,"height":286,"mime-type":264,"filesize":287,"source_url":288},"tmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,200339,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428-2048x1152.png",{"aperture":111,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":111,"copyright":27,"focal_length":111,"iso":111,"shutter_speed":111,"title":27,"orientation":111,"keywords":290},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2024\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_428.png",{"related_posts":20,"related_posts_footer":293,"cta_type":297,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":298,"key_takeaways":302},[294,295,296],14848,57335,57079,"subscribe",[299,300,301],24765,37033,52203,[303,305,307],{"title":304},"\u003Cp>As robotics technology continues to advance, it will play a crucial role in enhancing medical care, improving pharmaceutical processes, and supporting patients and healthcare workers alike. Future robotic roles include assisting in surgeries, disinfecting rooms, dispensing medication, and providing companionship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":306},"\u003Cp>By taking over administrative, repetitive, and physically demanding tasks, robots can ease the workload of healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus more on patient care and decision-making that requires human empathy and expertise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"title":308},"\u003Cp>The integration of robotics in healthcare requires careful preparation and understanding to ensure that the human element remains central to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"yoast_wpseo_title":310,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":311,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":188},"Benefits of Robotics in Healthcare: Tasks Medical Robots Will Undertake","Medical robots will soon undertake many tasks in hospitals, pharmacies, or your nearest doctor's office, making a difference in every field of medicine.",{"self":313,"collection":318,"about":320,"author":322,"replies":324,"version-history":327,"predecessor-version":331,"wp:featuredmedia":335,"wp:attachment":338,"wp:term":341,"curies":352},[314],{"href":315,"targetHints":316},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689",{"allow":317},[132],[319],{"href":135},[321],{"href":138},[323],{"embeddable":26,"href":141},[325],{"embeddable":26,"href":326},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=13689",[328],{"count":329,"href":330},58,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions",[332],{"id":333,"href":334},58785,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F13689\u002Frevisions\u002F58785",[336],{"embeddable":26,"href":337},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F57617",[339],{"href":340},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=13689",[342,344,346,348,350],{"taxonomy":161,"embeddable":26,"href":343},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=13689",{"taxonomy":164,"embeddable":26,"href":345},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=13689",{"taxonomy":167,"embeddable":26,"href":347},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":170,"embeddable":26,"href":349},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=13689",{"taxonomy":173,"embeddable":26,"href":351},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=13689",[353],{"name":177,"href":178,"templated":26},[],1789238051986]