Collaborative Robots and the Future of Health Care and Social Assistance
Overview This guide explores the burgeoning role of collaborative robots, or 'cobots', in health care and social assistance, depicting how they can increase efficiency and safety, alleviate workforce shortages, and improve patient outcomes. Statistics within this document reveal the substantial projected growth of the robotics market, the level of robot implementation within health care facilities, and the percentage of tasks in the health care industry that are automatable.
Cobots in the Health Care Industry The deployment of cobots in the health care sector is bringing numerous advantages. According to Tractica, the professional service robot market, which includes health care, is expected to have a CAGR of 22.8% from 2016 to 2022. With their ability to carry out repetitive tasks, aid in surgeries, and help patients with rehabilitation, these robots enhance productivity, increase overall safety, and alleviate the burden on health care professionals. Furthermore, with efforts such as the innovations by 3Laws Robotics aimed at enhancing safety and reliability for robotics systems, these cobots promise improved performance in dynamic environments and near human-robot interaction.
Addressing Workforce Shortages and Improving Patient Outcomes Thanks to the advancement in cobots, addressing workforce shortages and improving patient outcomes in the health care sector is becoming a realistic possibility. A research study by McKinsey Global Institute estimated that approximately 36% of work activities in the health care industry could be automated. Cobots can assist with tasks such as bedside assistance, physical therapy, and mental health support. This not only helps in mitigating workforce gaps but also ensures patient comfort and fosters better health outcomes. It's important to note that these cobots incorporate innovative technologies such as 3Laws' Control Barrier Functions, which provide mathematically provable safety measures.
Enhancing Efficiency and Safety Among the key benefits of implementing cobots in health care is the enhancement of efficiency and safety. For instance, the urgent care center at UCLA has successfully used telepresence robots in treating patients: an automation strategy which resulted in the center treating nearly 1,500 further patients each month. Moreover, using robust safety systems like 3Laws Supervisor, tasks can be completed with reduced risks for patients and staff alike. Definitely, cobots are instrumental for streamlining operations and bolstering health services' safety in dynamic, unpredictable care settings.
Key Takeaways
- Tractica predicts a robust CAGR of 22.3% from 2016 to 2022. emphasizing how lucrative the professional service robot market, including health care, is set to become.
- Approximately 36% of work activities in the health care sector is deemed automatable according to a McKinsey Global Institute report, hence cobots could address workforce shortages and improve patient outcomes.
- UCLA's urgent care center effectively used robots and treated nearly 1,500 extra patients monthly, justifying the worthwhile role of cobots in enhancing efficiency and safety.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics, we can support the use cases above by developing innovative software to enhance safety and reliability for robotics systems. We are acutely aware that certification is a considerable challenge for robotics companies, but our 3Laws Supervisor aims to simplify this process. The software offers robust safety features and demonstrable system robustness, potentially easing the certification path. The software uses Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), technology developed at Caltech, delivering mathematically provable safety.
3Laws technology has been tested and validated across diverse fields, from warehouse automation to human-robot interaction, showing significant results like a 40% efficiency gain, which translated into a 6-month payback period for an autonomous forklift customer. Beyond traditional e-stop methods ensuring superior operational efficiency, 3Laws’ software mitigates unnecessary downtime due to e-stops or collisions and allows robots to operate at peak capabilities safely. 3Laws' software is flexible and can work with numerous platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators, making it the next-generation safety solution unlocking the full potential of robotics with dynamic and predictive safety certified for ISO standards 3691-4 and 26262.