“Robotics has been a catalyst in achieving efficiency in healthcare services” – By, Mr. IC Jayakrishnan T, IEEE Member

How is robotics transforming the healthcare industry? 

The potential of AI and robotics in the healthcare industry has no limits. The much-needed technological transformation is expected to propel the world towards a healthcare system that is accessible, efficient, and affordable. From automated health tracking of patients to ensuring a quick and continuous supply of medicines, the inclusion of robotics is making a significant impact in the field of medicine. It relieves medical personnel from everyday tasks and frees up resources for more urgent responsibilities whilst making medical procedures safer and less expensive for patients in the process.

Role of robotics in a post-pandemic world 

The post-pandemic social behavior and norms are going to be very different from the pre-pandemic ones. Healthcare and Public Infrastructure have received due attention and going forward will be in the same spot. With healthcare getting more attention, the health-tech market is booming and there are tons of potential applications of robotics in the post-pandemic world.

Robotics can be a great equalizer in healthcare as it can complement human effort and skill which will improve the healthcare ecosystem for the better. Examples include:

• Cobots or Human Collaborative Robots– Human collaborative robots (Cobots) can be great for the collaborative workforce. They are the next game-changers not only in the manufacturing sector but also in day-to-day life to assist human beings in performing repetitive, heavy-duty, and risky tasks. In the medical and healthcare field, they offer better accuracy and reliability while working as an assistive and supportive system for medical professionals
• Surgical Robots– The inclusion of robots during surgeries can significantly reduce the mental and physical exhaustion of surgeons. Moreover, surgical robots are more accurate, with advanced computer vision, dexterous manipulators, and surgical equipment guarantee precision, flexibility, and control that are unmatched by humans.
• Telemedicine-These robots, under telepresence mode, can allow doctors to engage with patients from afar without having to physically visit them. Along with the benefit of remote diagnosis, telepresence allows doctors to efficiently allocate their time to several patients across geographies and even to treat a problem collectively from multiple locations.
• Personal Care Robots– Healthcare encompasses more than just physical well-being; it also comprises emotional well-being. Many people who are lonely or need to be cared for can have personal care robots as companions who can converse to them or deliver them with timely medications. These robots can also communicate with medical devices that track the patient’s physical and mental health, as well as with a doctor in the event of a medical emergency.

What are the limitations in the implementation of robotics in Indian healthcare?

Robotics has been a catalyst in achieving efficiency in healthcare services. While there are innumerable benefits of employing robots to run errands in healthcare, it also has its limitations.

Indian healthcare has been plagued with systemic issues for a long time now. However, a lot of research and medical organizations have started to implement and invest in AI-based solutions for care, diagnosis, and treatment, but the accessibility of the public remains a key issue. When it comes to intelligent physical robots, the cost of the hardware is an added issue.  These advanced facilities are inaccessible, creating a stark difference between the public and private healthcare systems.

Another big challenge for robotic innovators is developing affordable solutions that can cater to a wider audience. While a lot of companies have come up with impressive and low-cost models, it will take time to get operational efficiency. If robots are involved in the process, the time and cost will go down. For example, in the case of medical emergencies, if medical professionals are not available in a timely manner, robots can assess the situation and the appropriate steps which can ultimately save lives.

There is also an insufficient level of knowledge of AI and robot technology among healthcare staff. Many healthcare workers need adequate training to handle such complex tasks and machines. There needs to be extensive training programs established and to enable the technical expertise needed to manage AI and robotic solutions. Caregivers and Clinicians need to be trained in robotics and the tasks they perform; they should also be trained for emergencies.

Need for research and technological progress in this field

There are various advantages of employing robots in the medical field. They are transforming the landscape through surgery, disinfecting areas, or streamlining supply. It has become clear that robotics adds value by increasing operational efficiencies and risk reduction. However, there is still scope for further study in this field.

The ongoing crisis has made everyone realize the importance of emerging technologies. Further technological advancement and study in this area, will help bridge the gap in our current healthcare system. There is an evident rise in demand for robots not just in healthcare but across several industries. Hence, there is a need to make more progress in this field to eliminate all the challenges and risks attached to such technologies. More research and trials will enable engineers to make robots simpler and easy to use. These advancements in robotics and automation of processes will in turn accelerate and drive the post-pandemic growth of this industry.

Other potential applications in healthcare powered by robotics 

As more research in Robotics and AI comes up, new technologies will also help the industry to power through. Integration of new technologies with robotics will help make the system become more efficient and effective. ASRS or Automated Storage and Retrieval System is a pharma related use case where robotics helps in automating medicine dispensing. With nanotechnology gaining popularity, through the integration of both, robots can be deployed through minimally invasive openings to perform complex procedures or targeted drug delivery in place of open surgery. Additionally, assistive robots can also be used to help experienced surgeons to perform difficult procedures with ease by overcoming their physical limitations due to age.

Apart from these, when it comes to the planning and training of various treatment procedures, 3D printing, medical imaging coupled with mixed reality helps reduce risk by making it possible to practice the surgery on virtual interactive models or dummy models. It also helps to reduce the learning curve for surgeons and junior practitioners 

Medical Logistics is another field that is meeting the requirements of an increasing number of patients under critical care for a supply of medicine and other clinical consumables, medical logistics has been successful in establishing its importance, both inside the hospital as well as over long distances. This technology allows us to minimize human movement and the chance of error. Autonomous Mobile Platforms (AMR), and medical drones can provide real-time delivery of medical supplies. Its other applications include supplying daily essentials and emergency medicines to patients without logistical constraints.

Another application of a new age technology is predictive diagnosis using AI-ML. The current advancement in AI-ML has enabled quick identification of chronic diseases like cancer, tumors, TB, etc., much earlier so that physicians and surgeons have enough time to act upon the symptoms and provide patients with the right treatment at the right time, not only saving a life but also improving the quality of treatment. The system mainly relies on electronic health data collected from patients in various ways, as well as data collected from other patients with similar diseases in the past.