Robotization and automation of operating theatres
Robotics is moving from factories to hospitals and changing how we care for patients. A lecture by František Duchoň from the Slovak University of Technology offered an overview of service robotics trends and also showcased several homegrown prototypes. From logistics and rehabilitation to specific assistive tasks, solutions are emerging that save time and are precise. Robotics can be divided into industrial and service; healthcare belongs to the latter group because it involves delivering services directly to people. According to international statistics, medical robotics is among the fastest-growing areas of service robotics, with a visible increase between 2020 and 2021. Surgical systems are the most well-known, but the advance of robotics extends far beyond the operating table. Mobile robotic platforms play an important role, able to move to the patient or between departments. Solutions with robotic arms are emerging that can be deployed for tasks ranging from procedural assistance to therapy. The goal is to reshape clinicians’ approach to routines so that their expertise is used where it is irreplaceable.Service robotics and healthcare
