The autonomous mobile TUG robots, developed by Aethon, work 24/7 to deliver drugs, laboratory specimens, supplies, linens and meals and cart away medical waste, soiled linens and trash at a variety of medical centers throughout the U.S.
The TUG robot has a map of the hospital stored in its memory and uses a scanning laser and 27 infrared and ultrasonic sensors to detect and model the environment in real time to maintain accurate position and avoid obstacles. It stands back from elevators and summons them through the hospital’s wireless network, using radio waves to open doors. It even audibly speaks while performing its tasks and automatically returns to its charging dock after completing a delivery. The UCSF Medical Center is deploying a fleet of about two dozen TUG robots at its new state-of-the-art hospital at Mission Bay in San Francisco and TUG robots are installed at 35 VA hospitals.
This article is an update of a previous post.