Mobile robots from DS AUTOMOTION relieve personnel and increase efficiency
A shortage of nursing staff, rising patient numbers, complex processes: hospitals are facing enormous challenges. One solution comes in the form of autonomous mobile robots. DS AUTOMOTION shows how automation not only speeds up processes, but also improves the quality of work and supports patient care.
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The healthcare sector is under pressure:
Scarce personnel resources, high costs and an enormous logistical effort characterize everyday life. In the dynamic world of hospital logistics, mobile robots (AMRs/AGVs) are a real asset. The solutions from DS AUTOMOTION, the global leader in mobile robotics for internal logistics and assembly applications, make an important contribution to improving working conditions for staff and patient care. This is because they take on recurring tasks such as the transportation of medication, food, sterile goods or waste - autonomously, safely and efficiently. Whether narrow corridors, elevators or unexpected obstacles: DS AUTOMOTION's vehicles navigate safely and reliably through complex hospital environments. "Mobile robots enable us not only to optimize processes, but also to relieve staff. This leaves more time for what really counts: patient care," explains Markus Gartner, Key Account Manager at DS AUTOMOTION.
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Technological advantage from experience
For over 40 years, DS AUTOMOTION has been developing mobile robots for a wide range of industries - including the healthcare sector. The systems are flexible, robust, reliable and meet all the necessary hygiene standards. One example is SALLY, a compact courier robot for transporting small loads such as medicines or sterile instruments. It moves safely through the hospital, even using elevators or narrow corridors. CAREY - a robot for container transportation - was developed for larger transportation tasks. Thanks to its ability to travel underneath containers, it makes optimum use of confined spaces. Low-maintenance, energy-efficient components ensure a long service life. At the same time, CAREY meets the highest hygiene standards.
LUCY transports pallet cages and roll containers weighing up to 500 kg at a speed of 1.8 m/s. Its hybrid navigation (SLAM & laser) and safety features such as an obstacle scanner make it particularly efficient for everyday hospital use. DS AUTOMOTION not only offers hardware, but also intelligent control systems. The NAVIOS software coordinates the entire robot fleet in real time, optimizes routes and seamlessly integrates lift systems or automatic doors. This ensures a smooth process without bottlenecks - around the clock.
Four advantages at a glance:
1. increased efficiency: faster and automated material transportation relieves workflows and improves supply to the wards.
2. hygiene & safety: precise route guidance reduces sources of error and increases hygienic safety.
3. cost reduction: automation reduces long-term operating costs and enables more efficient use of resources.
4. staff relief: recurring transport tasks are taken over - which means more time for direct patient contact.
Best practice at Reims University Hospital
One successful example of the successful use of mobile robots in the healthcare sector is the new building at Reims University Hospital in France. Here, ten LUCYs take over the logistics tasks and primarily transport pallet cage trolleys and roll containers. Up to 1,500 transports of various goods such as meals, pharmacy supplies, storage, waste, etc. are carried out every day. The robots therefore relieve the staff considerably, allowing them to concentrate on the direct care of patients. LUCY has a modular load handling system that can be adapted to the specific needs of the hospital.
A look into the future
Mobile robots are no longer a dream of the future in the healthcare sector - they are an indispensable tool for increasing efficiency, safety and quality in patient care. DS AUTOMOTION offers sophisticated, tried-and-tested solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into existing processes - with a clear goal: more time for people. And the demand for automated solutions in the healthcare sector is growing. Thanks to their high level of maturity, mobile robots are not only being used in large hospitals, but also increasingly in smaller hospitals and outpatient facilities. “The future of hospital logistics clearly lies in automation,” concludes Markus Gartner: “We are proud to be supporting more and more facilities with our solutions.”