Meet Milton: The Robot Helping Hospital Staff Beat Medication Delays
The UK’s first-ever trial of an autonomous hospital helper bot kicked off last November at Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH). The robot, named Milton, has been navigating its own way from point A to B inside the hospital. This year, it’s stepping up to deliver medicines along tricky routes to ease pressure on busy staff.
Robot to the Rescue: Tackling Logistical Nightmares
Milton’s main mission? To cut care delays caused by the growing demand for moving medicines, specimens, and supplies around the hospital. Developed over a year with input from hospital workers, the bot is designed to give the overstretched pharmacy team a helping hand by ferrying non-controlled medication safely between the pharmacy and inpatient wards.
“Our Pharmacy team does an incredible job ensuring patients get medication promptly,” says Professor Joe Harrison, MKUH’s Chief Executive. “Milton will work alongside our staff to speed up deliveries and ease the workload.”
From Self-Driving Cars to Hospital Halls
The bot hails from the Academy of Robotics, famous for its driverless delivery vehicle Kar-go. Milton builds on Kar-go’s pandemic-era runs delivering medicines to UK homes and errands for the RAF at Brize Norton. The clever tech helps Milton navigate hospital obstacles like people, wheelchairs, and beds.
Milton’s design and even its name came from close teamwork with hospital staff through workshops and polls, ensuring the bot is built around real needs.
Testing Today, Rolling Out Tomorrow
The trial started in November 2022, with continuous testing set for 2023. Data collected will shape how Milton’s tech scales across the hospital—and perhaps the NHS. MKUH already boasts cutting-edge tech, including surgical robots and AI-powered imaging, making it the perfect spot for Milton’s robotic rollout.
“How people feel when they interact with technology is hugely important,” says William Sachiti, Founder and CEO of Academy of Robotics. “Milton is designed to be there when needed and out of the way when not—making life easier for staff and patients alike.”
As Milton’s trial rolls on, hopes run high that this helping hand will soon be a common sight in hospitals, taking the strain off staff and speeding up care for patients across the UK.
