Rajesh Kumar, Chief Manager, Medical Robotics, Addverb talks about the trends and innovations that are revolutionising the healthcare robotics industry
The healthcare industry has witnessed a major transformation and robotics has played a key role in driving the revolution, in last few years. Fields like diagnostics, patient care and delivery in hospitals has been the key areas that has been majorly transformed with robotics playing the fundamental roble. Research by PwC states that more than half (54 per cent) of people surveyed in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are willing to engage with AI and robotics for their healthcare needs, and close to half and up to 73 per cent would even be prepared to undergo minor surgery performed by a robot. These new improvements are allowing robots to automate tests, perform accurate surgical operations, and streamline medical processes.
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, “The Medical Robotic Systems Market size is estimated at USD 13.32 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 28.14 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 16.13 per cent during the forecast period (2024-2029).” In the present scenario, the adoption of robotic surgeries are more prevalent in the US and European Hospitals as they tend to perform surgeries with the help of robots.
Trends and innovations that are revolutionising the healthcare robotics industry:
Surgeries assisted by robots or robotic surgeries: Robots are being used in surgical rooms and hospitals as helping hands since quite a few decades. Robots assisted surgery is the key development in the healthcare robotics industry as it helps the doctors in performing complex surgeries minutely. In the year 2023, we have witnessed a huge surge in the instalments of robotic hands in the hospitals and private clinics, that shows that doctors clearly understand the importance of updated technologies in the healthcare sector and are ready to embrace the changing force.
Telepresence robots: Telepresence robots have become prevalent tools bridging the gap between healthcare professionals in urban areas and regional hospitals. By facilitating real-time communication between patients and doctors, these robots streamline consultations, monitoring, and even physical examinations.
Streamlined clinical workflows: Hospitals are increasingly turning to Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to simplify routine tasks and reduce reliance on human workers, all while ensuring seamless operations. These robots come equipped with solutions tailored to meet the needs and challenges faced by hospital staff, such as tracking medical inventory. AMRs are particularly efficient in tasks like cleaning and disinfection, which not only expedite surgical processes but also free up hospital staff to focus on patient-centred and value-adding duties.
Artificial intelligence: AI is playing a crucial role in healthcare robotics by empowering machines to examine extensive data and personalised treatment plans of the patients. Robots nowadays are being used to diagnose many diseases with the help of artificial intelligence. Radiologist robots, having computational imaging capabilities, can diagnose tumours using AI and deep learning.
Human robot collaboration: Collaboration between human healthcare workers and robots enhances workflow efficiency. Medical robots handle repetitive tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to concentrate on essential aspects of patient care.
The future of healthcare robotics holds immense potential for enhancing patient care, results, and changing the healthcare industry. In the coming future robots will become increasingly autonomous, eventually performing specific tasks on their own. This will allow physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel more time and energy to devote into direct patient care. The hi-tech hospitals these days are extensively using robotics arms and robotic imaging and diagnostics equipment which is helping them function even with low medical professionals and doctors.