Autonomous Mobile Robots in Hospital Logistics

Abstract

The recent advances in technology have increased flexibility in indoor mobility and human-robot collaboration, opening up new opportunities to perform material handling tasks, especially in narrow, dynamic environments, such as hospitals. Sensing devices, powerful on-board computers, artificial intelligence, and collaborative equipment allow autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to drive and fulfill material handling activities autonomously. In hospitals, material handling activities are widely performed manually. This study investigates five innovative applications of AMRs, highlighting their benefits compared with other material handling systems applied in hospitals, and presenting research needs. The study concludes that AMRs can support and collaborate closely with hospital personnel to increase value-added time for patient care.