Hospital’s robots usher in the future
THEY resemble drones from a science-fiction movie.
But these mini-robots are in fact the behind-the-scenes stars of the new £842 million South Glasgow University Hospital. Patients will see little of the 26 robots, with the motorised workers assisting staff in their duties.
Costing £50,000 each, the fleet are being used to move medical equipment, linen, food and waste around the vast site which begins to open on Monday. The £1.3m Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), are10 inches high and are capable of lifting up to half a tonne at a time.
The self-operating robots come to life when a member of staff has scanned a trolley or cage to be picked up. The AGVs then track their target as they make their way through the hospital, using their own dedicated lifts in the 14-storey complex.
Once an AGV has completed its task, it returns to a docking station where it can be fully charged in 30 minutes – all without any input from a human.
When one moves from the front of the rank, another automatically takes its place from the nearest charging station.
At a loading bay where goods including kitchen materials, linen and medical supplies are delivered, the robots pick up their cargo, call a lift and head for the appropriate floor.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesperson said: “The robots are fully geared up and ready for operation. We’ve had them for four weeks now and they are already in use around the hospital.
“The use of the robots will free up valuable time for porters to undertake important duties such as moving patients.”
The intelligent robots will be able to adjust their speed depending on the width of the corridor and if anyone is in close proximity. They have lights which will allow them to be easily seen and are also able to give off a verbal warning if they are approaching people.