Often, healthcare personnel spend a good deal of two hours a day merely picking up medicines. Nurses often have to leave their patients to walk several floors to the pharmacy just to collect medication. This logistical task is a common part of daily life in hospitals. A startup from the Brainport region has developed a technology to change this: a robot called Ambyon ONE.
The robot is designed to transport medication, lab samples, and other goods independently. Research suggests that healthcare professionals currently spend nearly two hours per day on logistics. By handling these deliveries, the robot allows nurses to spend more time with their patients.
Ambyon ONE moves autonomously through corridors using advanced 3D vision. It can recognise people and adjust its speed to navigate safely. The system is designed to fit into existing hospital buildings without expensive upgrades. It can operate lifts by using a retractable arm to press buttons and can move through secure areas using standard badge readers. To ensure safety, it carries a specialised medication safe that many hospitals already use.
The technology was developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals to ensure it fits naturally into hospital routines. The Ambyon team is led by Willem-Jan Lamers and Joep Selten. The robot is already being tested at several locations, including the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam and Radboud University Medical Centre in Nijmegen.
Following a successful preliminary round in Brainport, the company has been nominated for the 2026 National Healthcare Innovation Award (Nationale Zorginnovatieprijs or nzip). Anyone can vote for the Audience Award until 14 April at https://www.ambyon.care/nzip/. Winners will be announced on 15 April at the Zorg & ICT Conference in Utrecht.
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