Robotics has already revolutionized the manufacturing industry, but it has begun to impact the healthcare industry as well. AI is already showing that it can do a lot of what humans can, only faster and cheaper.
The potential benefits of machine learning and artificial intelligence are only starting to be seen, though we can make an educated guess regarding the benefit it can have.
Let’s look at the current and future impact robotics and machine learning is making on the healthcare industry.
The Automation of Hospital Support Tasks
Robots may or may not be wandering the halls dispensing hot towels and medication, but they are filling a number of critical hospital support roles. For example, they’re used to quickly and thoroughly disinfect operating rooms and scrub floors.
They don’t get tired, their performance doesn’t deteriorate at the end of a shift, and they can’t get sick themselves. This technology is expected to reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infections that currently stands at 4 percent.
Robots are at the vanguard of minimally invasive surgery. This is why surgical robot sales are expected to hit $6.4 billion in 2020.
We’re only starting to see what care robots can do. One system can draw blood and provide assistance with patient care like changing undergarments. This frees up nurses from unpleasant and physically demanding tasks.
They may one day take the next step and perform lab tests and deliver care without requiring a human present beyond the patient.
We’re already seeing robots push around racks of medication, towels and laboratory specimens. This frees up hospital staff to work on more creative and demanding tasks.
The Impact of AI and Robotics in Manufacturing
Robots have been improving productivity and quality in the manufacturing sector for years. For example, these machines can manufacture complete medical device components without any further processing.
CNC Swiss machining is the next generation in manufacturing technology and could be taken to a whole new plateau thanks to AI. It can already do everything from threading to milling to slotting before delivering a high quality, completed part.
CNC machines can now be driven by advanced AI to create precise parts, and it can make a wide variety of parts, all of them made as quickly as possible.
Advances in digital design mean you can design the product, test the design in various simulations, and send the data file to a contract manufacturer who sends the completed item back. Prototyping is faster, and low rate production and custom parts are now economical.
The Arrival of Caregiving Robots
Robots will soon be able to interact with patients, call for help when required, dispense medication and remind patients of appointments.
Everything that can be done to help people age in peace saves money while improving quality of life. This same technology could be used in long-term care facilities and nursing homes to improve the quality of care at a lower cost.
Robotic medical dispenser systems can already dispense medication to patients whenever required as long as it is within predetermined limits. And pharmaceutical companies could get valuable insight into how their medications are used.
AI Promise
Artificial intelligence and robotics promise to improve quality of care, access to medical services, and support for patients and caregivers alike – at a lower cost to everyone.
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