Patients at the new National Children’s Hospital in Rialto, Dublin will receive food and medicine delivered by robots, according to the Irish Daily Star.
The hospital is set to feature 76 “nutrient stations” where automated guided vehicles (AGVs) will transport food trolleys from the catering area.
According to the paper, a porter will then physically deliver the food from these stations to the patients.
These AGVs are already in use in hospitals worldwide, as well as in factories and warehouses. The Italian company Oppent was awarded the contract for the service in 2021 at a cost of €2.2m (£1.9m).
The much-delayed hospital, which is project to cost €2.24bn (£1.94bn), is expected to be completed next year.
Speaking to Dublin Live, a source explained: “The technology is amazing. They’ve been used in factories and warehouses for a while now so it’s good to see they’ll be involved in the Irish healthcare system.
“They work by slotting underneath traditional hospital trolleys to transport food, medicine, and supplies around the hospital. Food is often prepared on the other side of a hospital before being [sent] to the wards.”
