At the Zorg & ICT trade fair, taking place this week at the Jaarbeurs Utrecht, various robotic solutions are being showcased to help improve efficiency in healthcare processes. The focus is on both administrative automation and physical support within healthcare institutions.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is increasingly being used to automate repetitive administrative tasks. For example, the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht), with the support of Tacstone Technology, has automated more than twenty processes across departments such as Finance, HR, and Healthcare Administration. This automation speeds up operations, increases efficiency, and relieves staff of routine tasks.
Maatje: A Social Robot for Support
A notable innovation is Maatje, a social robot developed by Smartrobot Solutions. Designed for individuals with dementia, autism, or mild intellectual disabilities, Maatje provides support through daily structure, games, and social interaction. The robot is already in use in several countries, including Switzerland.
Cleaning Robots Relieve Staff
For physical support, cleaning robots like the PUDU CC1 are on the rise. This device, developed by Chinese supplier Pudu Robotics, combines sweeping, scrubbing, vacuuming, and mopping in a single unit. The company has sold nearly 70,000 robots worldwide.
Reception Robots in Hospitals
Healthcare institutions are increasingly deploying robots to welcome patients and visitors. These reception and guidance robots can greet people in the entrance hall, provide appointment information, and independently escort them to the correct department or waiting area. This eases the burden on front desk staff and improves patient flow. Hospitals such as Erasmus MC and LUMC are already using these robots. They are equipped with speech recognition, visual display screens, and sensors to navigate safely in crowded environments.
Fall Detection with AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also playing a growing role in healthcare, particularly in fall detection. Kepler Vision Technologies has developed an AI-powered solution that monitors patients’ body language to detect falls or other emergencies. When a fall occurs, the system immediately alerts healthcare staff, enabling quick response and reducing false alarms.
