Robots Are Changing Healthcare — One Procedure at a Time
You probably wouldn’t expect a robot to help diagnose you at the ER or guide you through stroke rehab. But this is quickly becoming reality — and it’s happening faster than most people realize.
Spanning everything from surgeries and patient rehab to remote diagnostics and even doctor training, robotics are transforming healthcare on a global scale. The technology is reshaping how doctors work, how patients heal, and how care is delivered — in some cases, remotely or autonomously.
With the global medical robotics market expected to grow from $16.6 billion in 2023 to nearly $64 billion by 2032, the medical industry is entering a new era. What exactly does that look like?
Faster Diagnoses in Emergency Rooms
Pressure in the ER is relentless. Every second counts — and delays can lead to serious consequences.
In the UK, researchers at the University of York are developing DAISY (Diagnostic AI System for Robot-Assisted A&E Triage), a new prototype designed to gather patient vitals and symptoms using robotics to assist staff in triage decisions.
“The DAISY system will produce a report based on questions and measurements made of the patient’s health, which will be sent to a senior doctor for the next stages of triage,” said Dr Chiara Picardi, lead researcher.
The idea isn’t to replace human doctors — it’s to reduce their load and speed up life-saving decisions.
Meanwhile in the U.S., Intuitive has developed a robotic-assisted platform called Ion. It supports precise, minimally invasive bronchoscopy procedures, which may help detect lung cancer earlier.
Sharper Surgical Tools and Techniques
Robotic surgery isn’t new — but it’s advancing fast.
- The da Vinci Surgical System assists with delicate procedures like prostatectomies and hysterectomies.
- The Mako robot system is helping perform precise joint replacements.
- The UK’s NHS approved 11 new robotic surgery systems for integration in 2024 alone.
A recent case in the UK involved a seven-year-old boy undergoing kidney surgery using the Versius Surgical Robotic System. Surgeons report better recovery times and less post-operative discomfort.
Analyst firm Oliver Wyman expects the robotic-assisted surgery market to top $14 billion by 2026. Hospitals are noticing — and investing.
Helping People Move — Again
Beyond surgery, robots are also helping people walk, lift, and function after injury or illness.
Kevin Piette, who suffered paralysis in a motorcycle crash, recently walked through Paris using an exoskeleton called the Atalante X. Designed by Wandercraft, it’s the first self-stabilizing exoskeleton of its kind.
Swedish researchers attached a robotic prosthetic arm directly to a patient’s nervous system — not just improving mobility, but reducing phantom limb pain. The patient said it gave her “a better life.”
There’s also wearable tech designed for mobility in less clinical settings. A startup, Skip, partnered with outdoor clothing brand Arc’teryx to create powered trousers that support hikers with limited mobility.
It’s hard not to ask: what happens when wearable robots go mainstream?
Rehabilitation Gets Personal
Stroke and brain injury sufferers often struggle with long rehabilitation periods. Only about 31% finish upper limb rehab programs.
The National Robotarium and Austria’s AIT have now developed a socially assistive robot that engages patients in guided movements. Through neural activity monitoring, the robot can “see” what motion the patient is intending — and gently coach them through completing it.
The goal isn’t just physical recovery — it’s to give people enough progress and encouragement to actually stick with the process.
Remote Diagnostics and Telehealth Robots
Telemedicine means more patients get care — but what if robots joined the mix?
Boston startup Perceptive completed what it claims is the world’s first fully robotic dental procedure, using AI and robotic tools for precision.
Even more futuristic is PillBot — a remote-controlled, swallowable robot capsule developed by Endiatx. It gives gastroenterologists a literal inside view of the digestive system, without needing invasive procedures. And yes — patients can stay at home during use.
These innovations aren’t just interesting. They could reduce costs, lower hospital visits, and reach people in remote areas.
From Practice Bots to Real Patients
Doctor training is also changing. UC San Diego created RIA — a humanoid robot that lets medical students practice diagnosing and interacting with patients in a zero-judgment, zero-risk environment.
According to Jonathan Rezach, Program Manager at the English Language Institute, “RIA doesn’t get judgmental. She doesn’t get tired. She doesn’t check her smartphone.” That’s a pretty compelling training partner.
RIA isn’t just smart — it can mimic emotions, helping practitioners prep for the human side of healthcare. The long days, complex feelings, and unpredictable moments that make the job tough to simulate.
Where AI Fits In — and What’s Holding It Back
AI is the silent partner behind many of these robotic advances.
The World Economic Forum’s white paper, “The Future of AI-Enabled Health: Leading the Way,” makes the case that AI’s impact won’t just come from tools — it’ll come from changing how healthcare is delivered.
Andy Moose, Head of Health and Wellness at the Forum, said: “AI digital health solutions… hold the potential to improve operations such as notetaking or resource-scheduling, but also telemedicine, remote monitoring and AI-driven diagnostics…”
Still, barriers remain:
- Outdated or fragmented regulations slow down progress.
- Inequitable access makes these advances less global than they should be.
- And AI’s complexity raises trust issues with patients and practitioners alike.
If these can be addressed — and that’s a big if — AI and robotics could make care more accessible for everyone.
The Future: Not Perfect, But In Progress
Some of these breakthroughs are still early stage. Others, like surgical robots or remote diagnostics, are becoming the new norm inside hospitals today.
There’s also the emotional side to all this. Not everyone will feel comfortable putting trust in machines during life-or-death moments. And some will worry about job displacement — a valid concern that needs addressing.
Still, the trend is clear. From the way doctors train to how patients recover, robots are entering nearly every corner of healthcare. Carefully, but definitively.
The question isn’t whether robots should have a role in medicine. It’s how big that role will become — and how well we’re managing to steer it.
