Human–Robot Collaboration in the Danish Healthcare System
摘要
This chapter explores Human–Robot Collaboration (HRC) within Danish hospitals, emphasizing its potential to enhance healthcare delivery by addressing challenges such as staffing shortages, high workloads, and the need for patient-centered solutions. It begins by defining robots and tracing their historical origins, followed by a discussion of their strengths, including increased efficiency and precision, and their limitations, such as high costs and limited adaptability. The chapter contextualizes Denmark’s robust robotics industry and its integration into the healthcare system, detailing various applications and types of robots used in hospitals, including mobile service robots, robotic surgical systems, rehabilitation robots, and cleaning robots. It delves into the primary drivers for integrating robots, such as optimizing workflows and reducing physical strain on staff, alongside challenges like ongoing maintenance, specialized training, and socio-technical complexities. Through case studies from Danish hospitals, the chapter illustrates both successful and problematic instances of HRC, highlighting factors that influence effective collaboration. These real-world deployments underscore the importance of a socio-technical approach, which integrates technical reliability with human-centered design to ensure that robotic technologies not only perform their intended tasks but also harmoniously coexist and cooperate with human staff. Key factors for successful HRC include engaging frontline staff, tailoring robot functionalities to specific environments, establishing clear communication protocols, and providing continuous technical support. Ultimately, the chapter demonstrates that a holistic strategy is crucial for HRC in the demanding environment of healthcare.