Since its inception, Diligent Robotics has been revolutionizing healthcare automation with Moxi, the only humanoid robot actively operating in complex, real-world environments like hospitals. Alongside this incredible delivery milestone, Moxi has:
• Saved nurses and other clinical staff over 1.5 billion steps allowing them to remain in their units and closer to their patients
• Saved clinical staff over 575,000 hours, giving them back that time to focus on being at the bedside and being more creative in their work
• Surpassed 125,000 autonomous elevator rides, highlighting the complex nature of autonomous operations in real-world environments, especially in a
busy hospital.
• Currently partnered with 23 health systems, representing 31 hospital-level partnerships and growing nationwide. Customers range from multi-hospital
health systems to small community hospitals in rural areas.

“This milestone is a testament to Diligent Robotics’ leadership in healthcare automation and our commitment to delivering impactful solutions that support clinical teams,” said Dr. Andrea Thomaz, CEO and Co-Founder of Diligent Robotics. “While many companies talk about integrating robotics into healthcare, we’ve been successfully doing it since 2020. Moxi’s achievements showcase the transformative power of embodied AI in addressing real-world challenges. As we look to the future, we’re excited to push the boundaries of innovation, advancing robotic capabilities to create even greater efficiencies, support and milestones in healthcare and beyond.”

Pioneering Innovation in Healthcare Robotics

Unlike traditional automation systems, Moxi seamlessly integrates into hospital workflows, handling routine tasks such as delivering supplies, lab specimens and medications. With an average task time of 20-26 minutes, Moxi ensures consistent and reliable delivery while streamlining hospital operations.
“One of the things I noticed when shadowing nurses during their day-to-day work is how often they get pulled away from patient care to go and run tasks, to go and get things,” said Trish Fairbanks, Chief Nursing Officer, Endeavor Health. “This is a huge dissatisfier for nurses. They like to be with their patients and Moxi doing the running around for them is just super cool.”

Behind the scenes, Diligent Robotics leverages multiple terabytes of performance data collected weekly from its fleet to drive continuous innovation. This data is critical to refining Moxi’s capabilities and accelerating the development of new product iterations. By combining robust AI models with real-world feedback, Diligent Robotics maintains its edge as the true leader in healthcare AI.

Transforming the Future of Work

Moxi’s success is a clear indicator of the growing role of humanoid robots in healthcare. Robotics in healthcare, once considered an experimental innovation, has evolved into a transformational tool, delivering operational efficiencies and reshaping hospital workflows. Health systems increasingly rely on solutions like Moxi to streamline workflows, alleviate workforce shortages and combat clinician burnout. This shift highlights the growing recognition of robotics as an essential component in addressing the complex challenges of modern healthcare, transforming how care is delivered and managed. With its unmatched ability to navigate complex environments and learn from data, Moxi continues to redefine what is possible in hospital settings.

“It’s been incredible to see how perceptions of Moxi have evolved over time,” added Thomaz. “Initially, there were natural concerns about how this technology might replace jobs or operate efficiently in a busy hospital. Now, Moxi has become an indispensable part of the team, taking on routine tasks that allow staff to focus on patient care. Watching clinical teams interact with Moxi as if it’s a real member of the team—saying good morning, giving it high-fives, and even naming it ‘Employee of the Week’—has been one of the most rewarding human-robot interactions I’ve seen in my career. Seeing Moxi become such a valued part of healthcare teams reaffirms our mission to create technology that truly supports people in meaningful ways.”

As Diligent Robotics enters 2025, the company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what embodied AI and humanoid robots can achieve. To learn more about Diligent Robotics and its groundbreaking work, visit www.diligentrobots.com.

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About Diligent Robotics
Founded in 2017, Diligent Robotics is an Austin-based A.I. company that creates robot assistants that help people with their chores so they can focus on the work they care most about. Moxi is our hospital robot assistant that helps clinical staff with routine, non-patient-facing tasks so they have more time for patient care, and hospitals save money on staff burnout and turnover costs. Moxi has been successfully supporting several US health systems and focuses on tasks such as gathering supplies and delivering them to patient rooms, delivering samples to the lab and retrieving items from central supply to nursing units. As a company founded by social robotics experts, we’re proud to be at the forefront of creating robots that incorporate mobile manipulation, social intelligence and human-guided learning capabilities. We believe that if we can give people the resources that they need to do the work they care most about, we will transform the meaning of “work.” www.diligentrobots.com

The post Not a Pilot, Not a Prototype—Diligent Robotics Hits 1 Million Humanoid Deliveries Across Fleet at Healthcare Customers appeared first on Medika Life.

This short paper explores integrating critical psychological theories into AI and robotics design. It argues for a human-centered approach to technology, emphasizing the role of interdisciplinary insights to create AI that enhances human well-being and happiness. 

Key Questions 

 – How can we achieve this goal more effectively?

 – Which psychological theories should we incorporate into AI, and how?

The Role of Human Sciences

Theories of Human sciences, including psychology, behavioral sciences, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, and more, provide insights into human behavior, emotions, and social influences.  Integrating these into AI can enhance its application in education, work, healthcare, industry, and everyday life, facilitating better human-machine interactions. For instance, in healthcare, AI systems designed with insights from behavioral sciences have been used to create virtual health assistants that improve patient adherence to treatment plans by leveraging principles of motivational interviewing and behavioral change theories. 

 The Role of Psychological Theories  

When updated to reflect current realities, scientific psychological theories are crucial for AI development. Theories such as cognitivism, humanism, behaviorism, and evolutionary psychology offer frameworks for creating human-centered AI that considers all aspects of human behavior, mind, and emotions.

For example, an AI educational tool designed based on cognitivist principles can adapt its teaching methods to match the learner’s cognitive development stage, as seen in systems that use Piaget’s theories to tailor learning experiences for children. 

 Linking AI with Psychological Theories 

Before connecting AI with psychological theories, we must define our goals: happiness and well-being. Identifying relevant psychological concepts, like personality, emotions, motivation, well-being, happiness, behavior, mind, creativity, problem-solving, and self-actualization, will guide this integration.

As a practical example, incorporating concepts of self-actualization from Maslow’s hierarchy of needs into AI personal assistants can help these systems support users in setting and achieving personal growth goals, such as learning new skills or maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Steps to Lead Psychological Theories into AI Algorithms

1. Select Theories:

 Choose theories that promote satisfaction, well-being, and happiness and address human needs. 

Notable theories include Maslow‘s hierarchy of needs, Piaget’s developmental stages, Skinner‘s operant conditioning, Pavlov’s classical conditioning, and Bandura‘s social learning theory. 

As a good example, Maslow’s hierarchy can be applied to AI systems in workplaces to ensure that they cater to employees’ basic needs (safety, belongingness) before moving to higher-level needs like esteem and self-actualization. 

 2. Identify Key Concepts: 

Determine which aspects of each theory are most relevant to human-AI interactions. For example, focus on motivation, social effectiveness, emotions, autonomy, and enthusiasm.

For instance, in a customer service Chabot, integrating Bandura’s social learning theory can improve its ability to handle interactions by learning from examples of successful human conversations. 

3. Develop Algorithmic Frameworks: 

Create dynamic algorithmic frameworks that incorporate these key concepts.

Collaborate with AI specialists and psychologists to define and implement these elements within AI systems. For example, improving an AI mental health tool using Skinner’s operant conditioning can involve creating reward-based systems to reinforce positive behaviors in users, such as regular exercise or journaling.

 4. Testing and Evaluation: 

Conduct small-scale tests of these algorithms to evaluate their effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes. 

For example, test AI robots designed with Piaget’s developmental principles to assess their performance and user satisfaction. 

Moreover, as another example, a robot designed to assist older adults can be evaluated on its ability to improve social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness using principles from Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. 

5. Continuous Feedback and Updates: 

Regularly update and refine AI systems based on user feedback and ongoing evaluations. 

Both product and process evaluations are essential for ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with user needs and stakeholder expectations. 

Conclusion 

Incorporating psychological theories into AI and robotics design is complex but essential for creating human-centered technology. By focusing on interdisciplinary approaches and ongoing evaluations, we can develop AI that enhances human well-being and happiness. 

Further 

Please refer to my previous publications for more detailed insights into specific psychological theories and their applications in AI.  These works explore famous theories and provide practical examples of their integration into AI systems. Connect with me for further details and potential research collaborations. 

Sources

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-digital-self/202402/ai-as-a-catalyst-for-self-actualization

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-digital-self/202402/can-large-language-models-support-psychotherapy

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-digital-self/202404/leveraging-large-language-models-for-emotional-reappraisal

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-digital-self/202402/ai-as-a-catalyst-for-self-actualization

The post Integrating Psychological Theories into AI, Robotics or Humanoid Robots appeared first on Medika Life.

The answer lies in a multi-disciplinary approach to AI design that includes cognitive engineers, psychologists, and social thinkers. This collaboration ensures that AI development is rooted in a holistic understanding of human needs, reflecting both our psychological complexity and social interconnectivity.

To illustrate, consider preparing a family’s favorite meal: one must not only measure tastes and interests but also be familiar with dietary restrictions, have the necessary kitchen tools, and ensure that the final dish is adaptable to the preferences of each family member. Similarly, consumers of AI technology should be aware of how it works, the benefits it provides, and how to integrate it into their lives satisfactorily.

Innovators Must Focus on Foundational Principles:

1. Innovator Knowledge: AI creators must extend their expertise beyond technical knowledge to include a deep understanding of the human psyche, encompassing emotional and affective dimensions. As modern humans grapple with increasing stress and psychological issues, the goal of technology should be to foster joy, peace, and fulfillment.

2. Consumer Education: The responsibility lies not in manipulating minds but in educating society. Proper education does not exclusively pertain to specialized courses or certifications but should be inclusive, aiming to:

• Connect all people with advanced tools.
• Instruct on the appropriate use of technology in both professional and personal realms.
• Alleviate fears of AI by promoting understanding and appropriate use.
• Help people manage their time effectively with AI.
• Position AI as a sophisticated tool for assistance, not a substitute for human interaction.
• Dispel myths about AI, highlighting the dangers of misuse rather than the technology itself.

This inclusive educational approach will enhance quality of life, work efficiency, and contribute to individual and societal well-being.

From Idea to Action

The core issue is whether AI developers have addressed the psychological and emotional needs of users in addition to cognitive aspects. The implementation of AI should not solely focus on enhancing productivity but also consider human happiness and well-being. It is imperative that AI innovators are attuned to the inner layers and emotions of users, and to what extent they factor in the above-mentioned principles during development. This warrants a broader discussion and necessitates ongoing comprehensive research.

The post Improving Well-being with Artificial Intelligence: A Structured Approach appeared first on Medika Life.

First Procedures Performed with the Symani Surgical System

Date of release: Oct. 28, 2020

CALCI, Italy /PRNewswire/ — MMI SpA, an Italian company dedicated to improving clinical outcomes for patients undergoing microsurgery, announced today the CE Mark, launch and first human use of its Symani® Surgical System in Europe for open microsurgical procedures. The first four robotic surgeries were successfully performed in Florence, Italy, including three complex, post-traumatic lower limb reconstructions as well as a post-oncological reconstruction of the pharynx.

“There is a clear demand for robotics in microsurgery as the limits of the human hand have already been reached. We founded MMI to develop a robotic system designed for and with microsurgeons that will improve outcomes and address unmet patient needs, particularly through supermicrosurgery techniques which are required for lymphatic and other extremely delicate procedures. We are pleased to be at the forefront of a new era in robotic surgery as we launch our Symani System in Europe,” said Giuseppe Maria Prisco, co-founder and CEO of MMI.

The Symani Surgical System combines the benefits of tremor reduction and motion scaling (7-20x) with the world’s smallest wristed instrumentation, offering seven degrees of freedom and dexterity beyond the reach of human hands. The system’s NanoWrist® instruments are designed to overcome the challenges of free-flap reconstructions, replantations, congenital malformations, peripheral nerve repairs and lymphatic surgery, which together represent over one million procedures annually in the U.S. and Europe alone.

“Microsurgery and supermicrosurgery – as a tool, technique and discipline – continue to evolve. The use of robotics holds great promise to advance the specialty of microsurgery and improve care for patients affected by trauma, cancer, congenital malformations and even chronic conditions such as lymphedema,” commented L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, FAOA, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of the Plastic Surgery Division at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

“We are proud to bring this innovation to European patients and look forward to enabling surgeons worldwide to address challenging procedures on extremely small anatomy with increased precision, reproducibility and efficiency,” said Hannah Teichmann, co-founder and Vice President of Clinical Development of MMI.

About MMI

Medical Microinstruments S.p.A. (MMI) was founded in 2015 near Pisa, Italy to enhance surgical performance through the development of a robotic system that enables surgeons to achieve better outcomes in microsurgery. The Symani Surgical System combines proprietary innovations including the world’s smallest wristed microinstruments as well as tremor-reducing and motion scaling technologies. Together, these powerful capabilities allow more surgeons to perform microsurgery while expanding the field of supermicrosurgery. MMI is backed by international medtech investors including Andera Partners, Panakes Partners, Fountain Healthcare Partners and Sambatech.

Dr. Levin serves as a medical advisor to the company and has received financial compensation from Medical Microinstruments S.p.A. 

The MMI system for robotic microsurgery is currently only commercially available in the European Economic Area. www.mmimicro.com

SOURCE MMI SpA

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