Smart Automation and Robotics in Healthcare: Transforming Hospital Material Handling Systems
摘要
Hospitals worldwide are increasingly turning to automated delivery solutions in response to aging populations, surging chronic disease burdens, shortage of skilled workforce, and rising operational costs. These trends are fueling a new generation of hospital material handling systems that integrate robotic platforms into core logistical processes. This chapter presents a broad review of robotic delivery systems specifically designed for hospital environments. These systems are classified into cart-transport, enclosed-compartment, and manipulator-equipped robots, with discussions on the unique strengths and practical applications of each category. In addition, we cover foundational navigation concepts, including mapping, localization, and path planning, that support the reliable autonomy of robotic systems in clinical environments. Finally, we present the common barriers and facilitators of adoption. We hope this work will help illuminate the current state of robotics in healthcare and inform future research and implementation efforts.