Swiss Post Robots Use Elevators in Hospitals and Support Staff

The robots of Post CH AG have recently been relieving the staff at the hospital in Lugano. Whether it’s medications or other goods, they are true all-rounders, transporting almost everything – completely autonomously and around the clock. The robots in Lugano even use the elevator on their own.

(Bern/Lugano) – In September 2020, the first indoor robot of the Post was put into operation at the Ospedale Civico in Lugano. It transports medications from the hospital’s pharmacy on the ground floor to all departments. The robot navigates independently through the 18 floors of the building. Recently, it has also started using the elevator. This is a novelty for the Post robots and a significant advantage: It ensures that medications reach their destination as quickly as possible. Thanks to the fact that the goods are protected by a PIN code, they arrive safely at the intended recipient.

Robot Transports Trolleys and Heavy Loads

In October, a second Post robot began its service at the Ospedale Civico: a robot capable of transporting trolleys and all kinds of heavy loads. Currently, the robot is transporting larger shipments of medications. In the future, it could also transport waste trolleys or carts loaded with food or laundry. This second robot is also a real powerhouse: it can easily carry up to 700 kg of material.

Innovations Must Ease Employees’ Work

The multi-talents also impress Luca Jelmoni, director of the Ospedale Civico: “The robots are part of various innovative projects in our hospital.” Since 2017, for example, the Post drones have been flying blood samples on behalf of the director. “It is always important that innovations make work easier for employees and enable better service for our patients,” Jelmoni adds. This is the most important criterion. Paola Rinaldi, who works with the robots daily, can confirm this: “We are very satisfied with how the first weeks with the robots have gone. They relieve us employees – long journeys from floor to floor are eliminated, and we can focus on our core tasks.”

Navigation Through 2D Mapping and Sensors

In September 2020, the first indoor robot of the Post was put into operation at the Ospedale Civico in Lugano – © Post CH AG

A question that inevitably arises is how the robots find their way: The transport robots navigate using 2D mapping. Once the route has been traveled, the robots developed by the US company “Aethon” can drive the path autonomously. Sensors allow them to position themselves with centimeter accuracy. When the autonomous vehicles encounter a situation they cannot resolve themselves, they stop automatically. Thanks to the sensors, they can detect obstacles from a distance, wait for oncoming people, or avoid obstacles. Additionally, the delivery vehicles are equipped with various safety elements that allow them to recognize their surroundings and distances. With the help of Wi-Fi, the robots can communicate with elevators and doors, thus gaining access to departments or calling the elevator. Transponders at doors respond when the robots approach, and the doors open. A dedicated elevator control system, linked to that of the elevator manufacturer, also responds when a robot approaches – opening up so that it can travel not only from room to room but also from floor to floor.

Counteracting Cost Pressure with Modern Robotics

The Ospedale Civico in Lugano is the second Swiss hospital where an autonomous robot from the Post is deployed. Since last year, an indoor robot from the Post has been relieving the staff of the laboratory at the hospital in Nyon – and successfully so. Since the beginning of its deployment, the robot in Nyon has already completed 2787 deliveries, covering a remarkable 860 kilometers. In the USA, over 160 hospitals have been relying on the proven and market-ready indoor robot for 10 years. In healthcare, especially in hospitals, there is a growing need for new, efficient logistics solutions due to increasing digitization and cost pressure. Autonomous delivery vehicles can offer a new solution approach with their strengths in logistics, particularly in healthcare. They are efficient, can relieve employees like those in Lugano or Nyon, and last but not least, they are available around the clock.

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Photo: © Post CH AG