The Integration of Robotics in Proactive Healthcare: Embracing Proactive Medicine for Enhanced Patient Care and Ethical Considerations

The use of robots in the health system is inevitable and covers many fields and scopes. Therefore, their organization and categorization are very important. However, the current classification of robots in the healthcare sector lacks coherence and consistency, leading to a fragmented understanding of their roles and capabilities. To address these issues, this review paper proposes a new classification based on healthcare processes and the intrinsic properties of robotic devices, such as minimally robotic manipulators, autonomous mobile robots, cobots, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based software.

Existing classifications often conflate established robots, experimental prototypes, and hypothetical concepts, creating a disorganized view of healthcare system robotics. Laboratory robots, notably absent from many classifications, further highlight the inconsistencies. Despite the promising advancements, the lack of a systematic classification obscures the trends in this dynamic field.

A comprehensive classification system for healthcare robots would help developers navigate complex regulations, identify relevant standards, and streamline the commercialization of robotic products. This would enable quicker development and market entry while ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.