AMR "GESSbot" takes over medication transport at SLK Clinic

At the SLK Clinic Heilbronn, the Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) "GESSbot" by W. Gessmann GmbH takes over recurring medication transports between the central pharmacy and oncology. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle moves through publicly accessible clinic areas, uses regular passenger elevators, and navigates between patients, visitors, and staff. Sealed-off driving areas or an infrastructure specially set up for the robot are not required for this.

The "GESSbot" autonomously transports medications between the central pharmacy and oncology, supporting intrahospital logistics during ongoing hospital operations. (Image source: Heilbronner Stimme/AI-edited: W. Gessmann GmbH)
The "GESSbot" autonomously transports medications between the central pharmacy and oncology, supporting intrahospital logistics during ongoing hospital operations. (Image source: Heilbronner Stimme/AI-edited: W. Gessmann GmbH)
Since its commissioning, the "GESSbot" has carried out more than 680 medication transports according to company information. In the process, the vehicle has autonomously covered more than 165 kilometers during ongoing clinical operations. According to Gessmann, the system detects obstacles and responds to pedestrian traffic. The trips between the central pharmacy and oncology involve public corridors and several floors. For vertical transport, the robot uses the regular passenger elevators of the clinic.

Automate Transport Routes

The SLK Clinic aims to relieve employees of recurring transport routes with the deployment. In hospitals, numerous goods, in addition to medications, need to be moved between different functional areas. These include consumables, laundry, and meals.

Gessmann originally developed the technology used for the "GESSbot" for industrial applications and is applying it to additional operational environments. According to the manufacturer, the system can be integrated with existing elevators, automated doors, and gate systems for hospital operations. Depending on the model, the Autonomous Mobile Robot can transport payloads of up to 350 or 500 kilograms. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer, the vehicle is designed for navigation in narrow corridors.

Further in-hospital transports possible

Beyond the current medication transport, Gessmann sees further applications for Autonomous Mobile Robotics in hospitals. Regularly recurring material flows, such as the transport of consumables, laundry, or meals, are particularly suitable.

The operation in Heilbronn shows how autonomous transport technology can be used within existing hospital buildings. In the specific application case, the robot operates without separate traffic areas during ongoing hospital operations.

Translated automatically from German.
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