Hospital’s New Robot Helper Set to Revolutionise Medicine Delivery
Meet Milton: The Robot Making Hospital Life Easier
The UK’s first hospital trial of a fully autonomous Helper Bot kicked off in late November. Milton, the brainchild of Academy of Robotics, is navigating hospital corridors on its own, delivering medicines to wards and lightening the load for busy staff. The trial will run through 2023, focusing on speeding up medicine delivery and easing logistical headaches in the hospital.
Cutting Delays and Boosting Efficiency
Milton’s mission? To zap delays caused by the constant shuttling of medicines, clinical supplies, and specimens around the hospital. Developed hand-in-hand with hospital staff over a year of tech wizardry, this Helper Bot could be the game-changer the NHS desperately needs.
From Roads to Wards: Academy of Robotics Leads the Way
Known for its Kar-go autonomous delivery vehicle, which has been on UK roads for some time, Academy of Robotics is no stranger to breakthrough tech. Kar-go helped deliver medicines during the pandemic and ran errands for RAF personnel. Now, its experience has been turbocharged into Milton, who deftly dodges people, wheelchairs, and hospital beds in his new environment.
Trial Details and Future Prospects
- Milton will haul non-controlled meds between the hospital pharmacy and inpatient wards.
- Designed alongside staff from pharmacy, pathology, and support services, including its name from an internal poll.
- The trial at Milton Keynes" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) started in November 2022, continuing with more tests in early 2023.
- Data gathered will shape potential NHS-wide rollout.
“Our Pharmacy team does an incredible job ensuring patients get the meds they need promptly,” said Professor Joe Harrison, Chief Executive of MKUH. “We’re excited to bring in new tech to speed up deliveries and relieve pressure on our teams.”
William Sachiti, Founder and CEO of Academy of Robotics, added, “It’s vital these machines make life easier for both staff and patients—being there when needed and out of the way when not. We aim to create a positive experience as we expand this technology.”
Already, MKUH is no stranger to tech innovations, with surgical robots and AI systems enhancing patient care. With Milton on the scene, hospital logistics are about to get a high-tech upgrade. Watch this space!
