Articles tagged with "healthcare-robotics"
Tiny lifeline robot with 360° rotation comforts sick school kids in UK
The AV1 telepresence robot, developed by Norwegian tech company No Isolation, enables children with long-term illnesses or medical conditions to remotely attend school and stay socially connected with classmates. Measuring about 12 inches tall and weighing 3.3 pounds, the robot is controlled via a secure mobile app that streams encrypted audio and video, allowing students to see, hear, and interact with their classroom in real time. Its 360-degree rotating head and visual indicators help students express emotions and virtually participate, such as raising their hand, providing ongoing access to lessons and fostering a sense of belonging despite physical absence. Designed to address rising student absenteeism—over 19% of students in England were persistently absent in 2023—the AV1 robot goes beyond formal lessons by enabling mobility throughout the school, including lunch halls and playgrounds, helping maintain friendships and social engagement. No Isolation collaborates with local authorities to deploy the robots at scale, with over 3,500 units active in 18 countries. Early
robottelepresenceremote-learningeducation-technologyhealthcare-roboticsIoT-connectivityassistive-technologySolo VC and Lovable investor Neil Murray raises third Nordic-focused fund
Neil Murray, founder and solo general partner of Copenhagen-based The Nordic Web Ventures, has closed a $6 million third fund focused on early-stage investments in the Nordic region, targeting robotics, AI-native, and deep tech startups. This Fund III follows two earlier funds that served as “test vehicles” to prove Murray’s ability to identify top talent; over seven years, he has invested in more than 50 companies, including unicorn Lovable and remote worker insurance firm SafetyWing, with successful exits like UI design company Uizard. Despite attracting over $20 million in interest, Murray deliberately capped the fund at $6 million to prioritize alignment and performance incentives over assets under management, aiming to invest around $200,000 in 30 to 35 companies. The Nordic startup ecosystem, encompassing Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, is currently valued at over $500 billion and has attracted more than $8 billion in venture funding in 2024, marking it as one of Europe’s hottest emerging markets. Murray attributes
roboticsAIdeep-techNordic-startupsventure-capitalindustrial-roboticshealthcare-roboticsDistalmotion raises $150M to accelerate U.S. adoption of DEXTER surgical robot - The Robot Report
Distalmotion SA has raised $150 million in a Series G funding round to accelerate the commercial adoption of its DEXTER soft-tissue surgical robot in the U.S., particularly targeting the rapidly growing ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market. The company plans to use the capital to support ongoing clinical trials and product development. Founded in 2012 as a spinout from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), Distalmotion aims to expand access to minimally invasive robotic surgery with its mobile, easy-to-use DEXTER system, which is designed to fit into operating rooms of any size without requiring modifications. The DEXTER system features fully wristed, single-use robotic instruments that enhance surgical dexterity and precision, and its sterile console allows surgeons to remain close to patients for improved workflow and communication. It supports flexible transitions between laparoscopic and robotic techniques and is compatible with existing and future operating room technologies. Commercially available in both the U.S. and Europe, the system
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyminimally-invasive-surgeryhealthcare-roboticsrobotic-surgery-systemssurgical-innovationWhy 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
robotautomationhealthcare-roboticsautonomous-mobile-robotshospital-logisticsAI-in-healthcaresmart-hospitalsMoxi 2.0 mobile manipulator is built for AI, says Diligent Robotics - The Robot Report
Diligent Robotics has announced Moxi 2.0, the next-generation version of its mobile manipulator robot designed primarily for healthcare environments. Building on three years of real-world data from over 1.25 million hospital deliveries, Moxi 2.0 incorporates one of the largest datasets of human-robot interaction to date. The robot currently operates in more than 25 U.S. hospitals, assisting nurses and pharmacy staff by handling routine tasks such as delivering medications and lab samples, thereby improving workflow efficiency and reducing staff burnout. The upgraded Moxi 2.0, powered by NVIDIA Thor for enhanced AI compute, is designed to better navigate complex, dynamic indoor environments with improved reasoning, prediction, and adaptability, including pre-emptive navigation around obstacles like beds and wheelchairs. The new hardware platform of Moxi 2.0 is optimized for manufacturability and durability to support fleet expansion, with physical design improvements such as enhanced handles and servicing panels based on user feedback. Dilig
robotAImobile-manipulatorhealthcare-roboticshospital-automationNVIDIA-Thorhuman-robot-interactionDiligent Robotics joins AgeTech Collaborative from AARP Accelerator Program - The Robot Report
Diligent Robotics, known for its Moxi robot deployed in over 25 U.S. hospitals to assist nurses with routine tasks, has been accepted into the AgeTech Collaborative from the AARP accelerator program. This eight-week initiative supports early-stage AgeTech startups focused on innovations for aging populations. The company views this as a significant milestone as it aims to extend Moxi’s use beyond hospitals into senior living and long-term care communities, addressing critical staffing shortages in these sectors. Moxi has already saved hospital staff nearly 600,000 hours and completed over 1.25 million deliveries of medications, lab samples, and supplies, demonstrating its ability to navigate complex environments and support clinical workflows. The senior care industry faces a looming labor shortage, with an estimated 18 million workers expected to leave by 2040 while 2.5 million new jobs are created, increasing demand for technology that enhances staff efficiency and care quality. Through the AgeTech Collaborative, Diligent Robotics will receive go-to-market
robothealthcare-roboticsmobile-manipulatorAI-in-healthcaresenior-care-technologyhospital-automationworkforce-efficiencySurgical robots take center stage at DeviceTalks West, RoboBusiness - The Robot Report
The article highlights the prominence of surgical robotics at the upcoming DeviceTalks West and RoboBusiness events, held concurrently at the Santa Clara Convention Center on October 15-16. Surgical robots, recognized as a leading application of robotics and AI in healthcare, will be the focus of multiple sessions covering topics such as intellectual property protection, modern surgical robot suites, and the evolution from teleoperation to autonomous humanoid surgical robots. Notably, Intuitive Surgical’s senior VP Iman Jeddi will deliver a keynote on the redesign and launch of the da Vinci 5 system, underscoring ongoing innovation in this field. RoboBusiness 2025 emphasizes the development and commercialization of automation technologies, featuring tracks on design, enabling technologies, AI, and robotics, alongside networking opportunities and a Pitchfire competition. DeviceTalks West will convene top engineers, executives, and innovators to discuss advances in surgical robotics and digital surgery, including new clinical therapies like neurovascular treatment and expanded use in ambulatory surgery centers.
roboticssurgical-robotsmedical-technologyhealthcare-roboticsrobotic-surgeryautomationartificial-intelligenceMassRobotics opens Cohort 5 applications for Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst - The Robot Report
MassRobotics has opened applications for Cohort 5 of its Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst Program, a five-month, non-equity initiative aimed at accelerating clinical readiness, technical validation, and go-to-market strategies for robotics and automation startups in healthcare and life sciences. The program runs from January to May 2026 and culminates in a showcase at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston. Startups working on a broad range of healthcare robotics—including laboratory automation, diagnostics, surgical robotics, rehabilitation devices, and enabling technologies—are encouraged to apply by the December 1, 2025 deadline. The program welcomes global teams at various stages, from seed funding to Series C. Cohort 5 will benefit from an expanded Medical Advisory Board featuring experts from Mass General Brigham and others, enhancing support in perioperative care, patient safety, and clinical workflow integration. Selected startups receive tailored mentorship from senior leaders at companies such as Festo, Novanta, Mitsubishi Electric Automation, MITRE, and yax
roboticshealthcare-roboticsstartup-acceleratorautomationAI-enabled-robotsclinical-technologyrobotics-summitBD and Henry Ford Health partner to automate pharmacies - The Robot Report
BD, a global medical technology company, has partnered with Henry Ford Health to develop and implement a robotic pharmacy automation system aimed at improving prescription access and pharmacy efficiency. The collaboration will utilize BD’s Rowa Vmax, a high-speed, modular robotic system already in use in Europe, to automate the storage and dispensing of medications at Henry Ford Health’s hospital-based community pharmacies in Southeast and Central Michigan. This system will enable patients to pick up select prescriptions 24/7, enhancing convenience and continuity of care. The partnership seeks to transform pharmacy operations by freeing pharmacists from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value, patient-centered care. Key benefits include automated, high-capacity storage and retrieval of medications, real-time prescription tracking, scalability, and the ability to house refrigerated medications and over-the-counter products. Both BD and Henry Ford Health emphasize that this automation aligns with their vision of delivering safer care, better access, and measurable outcomes, with plans to explore additional applications of the technology to further advance pharmacy
robotpharmacy-automationhealthcare-roboticsBD-Rowa-Vmaxprescription-retrievalhospital-pharmacymedical-technologyRobotics Summit 2026 opens call for speakers
The 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo, organized by The Robot Report, is calling for speaker session proposals for its event scheduled on May 27-28 at the Thomas M. Menino Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston. The summit focuses on the technical challenges in commercial robotics development and invites submissions across several tracks, including core technologies, design and manufacturability, artificial intelligence, coding and programming (a new track for 2026), automated warehouse robotics, and healthcare robotics. In addition to technical sessions, the summit seeks proposals for workshops, robot demonstrations, and off-site tours of local robotics organizations or universities. Speakers selected for the event will receive complimentary full conference registration, including access to all keynotes, sessions, panels, networking events, and special activities, along with registrations for up to two guests. The summit is expected to attract over 6,000 attendees, featuring five keynote presentations, more than 60 educational sessions, 250+ exhibitors, a Career Fair, a robotics development
roboticscommercial-robotsartificial-intelligencerobot-developmenthealthcare-roboticswarehouse-roboticsrobotics-summitPreparing for your later-stage raise: Insider strategies from top investors at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
The article highlights an upcoming session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, scheduled for October 29 at the Builders Stage in San Francisco, focused on strategies for securing later-stage funding. The session emphasizes that raising late-stage capital requires more than just meeting revenue goals; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and cultivate long-term investor relationships. Attendees can expect practical advice, candid insights, and actionable frameworks from experienced investors and founders to better prepare for major funding rounds. The panel features three prominent experts: Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who offers a founder’s perspective on building investor trust in AI hardware startups; Zeya Yang, partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership at major tech firms; and Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies with a global outlook. The article also promotes early registration for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, highlighting significant ticket savings available
robotAI-hardwaresocial-roboticscollaborative-roboticshealthcare-roboticsventure-capitalstartup-fundingHow robotics is transforming healthcare, inside and outside the operating room - The Robot Report
The article discusses how robotics is increasingly transforming healthcare both inside operating rooms and throughout hospital environments, addressing critical challenges such as workforce shortages and budget constraints. By 2030, a global shortage of at least 10 million healthcare workers is expected, with the U.S. facing a significant physician deficit by 2036. Hospitals, especially in rural areas, are also grappling with tighter budgets due to federal funding cuts. Robotics, including automated guided vehicles for logistics and advanced surgical robots, offers a way to alleviate these pressures by automating repetitive tasks and enhancing surgical capabilities. Surgical robotics is becoming more accessible as competition grows and costs decrease, with companies like SS Innovations, Medtronic, and others developing new systems that integrate AI and machine learning. Advances in telesurgery allow expert surgeons to remotely guide or take over procedures, expanding patient access to specialized care and enabling remote training through tele-proctoring. Beyond the operating room, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of logistics robots to reduce staff exposure
roboticshealthcare-roboticssurgical-robotstelesurgeryAI-in-roboticsmedical-technologyrobotic-surgery-systemsGR-3 humanoid robot debuts with empathy, emotion, and lifelike walk
The GR-3 humanoid robot, unveiled by Fourier on August 6, 2025, represents a significant advancement in human-robot interaction by emphasizing empathy, emotional awareness, and lifelike movement. Standing 165 cm tall and weighing 71 kg, GR-3 features 55 degrees of freedom enabling natural, balanced motion, including expressive gaits such as a “bouncy walk.” Its design incorporates a soft-touch shell with warm tones and premium upholstery to create a familiar, comforting presence rather than a mechanical one. Central to its capabilities is Fourier’s Full-Perception Multimodal Interaction System, which integrates vision, audio, and tactile inputs into a real-time emotional processing engine. This system allows GR-3 to localize voices, maintain eye contact, recognize faces, and respond to touch via 31 pressure sensors, producing subtle emotional gestures that simulate genuine empathy. Beyond sensing, GR-3 employs a dual-path cognitive architecture combining fast, reflexive responses with slower, context-aware reasoning
roboticshumanoid-robotemotional-AIhuman-robot-interactionhealthcare-roboticsempathetic-robotsassistive-technologyCobionix ready to expand with $3M for healthcare robotics - The Robot Report
Cobionix, a healthcare robotics company based in Kitchener, Ontario, has secured $3 million in strategic funding to commercialize CODI, its adaptable robotic platform designed to enhance healthcare delivery through automation and AI. CODI is a configurable, medical-collaborative robot capable of performing various patient-facing tasks, including diagnostic ultrasound procedures. Unlike traditional robots that require extensive hardware changes for different clinical uses, CODI can quickly adapt to new tasks via simple tool swaps and over-the-air software updates. Currently capable of teleoperated ultrasound, Cobionix is focusing on developing fully autonomous ultrasound functionality to improve access to medical imaging, particularly for patients in rural areas lacking nearby ultrasound facilities. Cobionix plans to launch CODI commercially in the U.K. by the end of 2024, followed by Canada in early 2026 and the U.S. by mid-2026. The U.K. market was chosen first due to its relatively low regulatory barriers for ultrasound applications. The technology
roboticshealthcare-roboticsautonomous-systemsmedical-roboticsrobotic-platformultrasound-technologyhealthcare-automationRealbotix robot speaks 15 languages fluently to boost hospitality
Realbotix, a US-based company known for creating lifelike humanoid robots, has enhanced its AI-powered robot to fluently speak 15 languages and access an additional 147 languages and dialects via cloud support. This multilingual capability is designed to improve communication in industries such as healthcare, hospitality, travel, and tourism by engaging visitors and patients in their native languages. The humanoid robot aims to bridge communication gaps between staff and clients, providing immediate, natural speech assistance in settings like airports, hotels, museums, and healthcare facilities. In healthcare, the robot can act as a communication intermediary, interpreting patient concerns and relaying information to medical teams, thereby addressing support shortages. The integration of humanoid robots into various industries is expected to accelerate, driven by labor shortages and demand for automation. According to a Research and Markets report cited by EE News Europe, the global humanoid robot market is projected to grow from $2.93 billion in 2025 to $243.40 billion by 203
robothumanoid-robotAImultilingual-robothealthcare-roboticshospitality-technologyautomationThree powerhouses cover how to prepare now for your later-stage raise at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, taking place October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, will feature a crucial session on preparing for later-stage fundraising, specifically targeting founders aiming for significant funding rounds like Series C. The panel, scheduled for October 29 on the Builders Stage, emphasizes that successful late-stage capital raises require more than just strong revenue; founders must craft compelling narratives, monitor key metrics, and nurture investor relationships well in advance. This session promises practical frameworks and candid insights to help startups strategically position themselves for major funding. The panel includes three industry experts: Zeya Yang, a partner at IVP with a background in AI-native startups and product leadership; Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, known for scaling impact-driven companies globally; and Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who brings firsthand founder experience in AI and robotics innovation. Their combined perspectives offer a comprehensive guide for founders preparing to raise substantial capital. Att
robotAIautomationroboticshealthcare-roboticsstartup-fundingventure-capitalSS Innovations completes its first cardiac surgery in the Americas with SSi Mantra - The Robot Report
SS Innovations International Inc. has completed its first robotic cardiac surgery in the Americas using its SSi Mantra 3 surgical robotic system. On June 8, 2024, Dr. Juan Zuniga at Interhospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, performed a robotic Atrial Septal Defect closure, marking the first such procedure in the Western Hemisphere with this technology. The minimally invasive surgery, which repairs a hole between the heart’s upper chambers, was successful, with the patient recovering well. Interhospital is the first South American hospital to install the SSi Mantra system, which has already been used for various complex surgeries since its installation. The SSi Mantra system is described as a user-friendly, modular, multi-arm robotic platform featuring three to five robotic arms, a 3D 4K monitor, an ergonomic surgeon command center, and advanced imaging capabilities that enhance precision and safety. It supports over 40 types of robotic endo-surgical instruments across multiple specialties, including
robotsurgical-roboticsrobotic-surgerycardiac-surgerymedical-technologyminimally-invasive-surgeryhealthcare-robotics