Why automation is the medicine that hospitals and the healthcare system needs - The Robot Report

Hospitals in the U.S. are facing critical workforce shortages, aging infrastructure, and financial constraints, with projections indicating a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2033 and a need to hire at least 200,000 nurses annually. To address these challenges, healthcare systems are increasingly turning to automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and reduce the burden on staff. These technologies are transforming hospital logistics—the crucial flow of supplies, medications, and equipment—by automating routine tasks that previously consumed significant nursing time, thereby allowing clinical staff to focus more on patient care. Leading examples include the Cleveland Clinic and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, which have implemented advanced robotic systems to handle material transport. Cleveland Clinic uses a fleet of 81 automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and over 1,000 carts to move a wide range of items across its campus, traveling over 1,000 miles daily and supporting its 1,400-bed capacity. This system has improved