Robotics is a fast growing industry, with the global market expected to more than double by 2030. Yet the healthcare industry has been slower than most when it comes to the adoption of robotic technologies. Unlike other sectors, implementation in healthcare requires additional layers of scrutiny, sensitivity and trust is required, and the risks involved are far more complex and more intensely scrutinised.
Overall, the robotics industry is at a point in its lifecycle where its credibility hinges on proven reliability, effective integration and sustained performance, particularly in the case of complex care environments. Though the new technology could improve operational efficiency and support clinical teams immensely, healthcare professionals remain cautiously optimistic.
Magnified security concerns
In connected healthcare environments, data security and system reliability are both operational concerns and patient safety issues. For instance, medical robotics systems must handle sensitive patient data and support high-precision tasks, often in real time. This is why the foundational software used in such systems must be designed with fail-safe principles from the ground up.
A security weakness in a hospital’s robotic logistics platform could, for example, be used to gain unauthorised visibility into patient movement data or live operational systems. The consequences of such an incident would extend well beyond the IT department. An intrusion like this could disrupt clinical operations, expose sensitive health information, place patients at serious risk and leave organisations facing regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, it could erode trust among clinicians, patients and partners, undermining confidence in the digital systems designed to support care delivery.
Using a microkernel-based architecture enables isolation of components so that faults remain contained and do not compromise the integrity of the entire system. This containment approach also reduces the system’s attack surface and supports deterministic performance, which are two critical requirements for safety-certifiable medical devices operating under standards such as IEC 62304 and IEC 61508.
Healthcare robotics platforms must therefore go beyond functional capability to demonstrate system-level resilience, modularity and certification readiness.
Slow robotics adoption leaves healthcare exposed to workforce gaps
A survey of global technology leaders found that 50% have already implemented robotics within their organisations, but in healthcare, that figure drops to just 40%.
This slower progress is striking, particularly in light of the staffing crisis facing healthcare institutions. The British Medical Association highlights that the UK and England continue to trail the OECD EU average in doctor-to-population ratios. Although workforce numbers are rising, they’re not keeping pace with the growing demand for care, suggesting a wider role for robotics in easing pressure points.
Yet there remain huge hurdles to adoption. A separate survey of 1,800 clinicians described the rollout of digital tools, including those used in robotics, as burdened by complexity and bureaucracy. These hurdles are reflected in leadership timelines. Although nearly half (49%) of healthcare executives are planning to introduce robotics, only 9% aim to do so within a year, while 17% remain without a clear schedule. If the case for robotics is so strong, why is progress in healthcare so slow?
Trust will earn robotics its place in healthcare
The healthcare sector isn’t inherently resistant to robotics, but adoption, justifiably, tends to be more measured. Unlike less regulated industries, healthcare demands that new technologies not only perform reliably but also fit seamlessly into existing clinical environments. How well new systems can align with existing workflows and patient safety standards is a critical consideration.
Trust in robotics often hinges on the task at hand. For example, there is generally stronger acceptance for applying it to back-end roles like logistics or supply transport, since these functions are seen as lower risk. However, leveraging robotics for medical procedures or direct care invites more caution and scrutiny from all involved.
But there are signs of openness. Two-thirds of surveyed professionals indicated some level of comfort working with robotic systems. That suggests trust is not out of reach, especially when robotics are introduced with clear safety frameworks and seen as supportive tools rather than replacements.
Ultimately, robotics is not going to transform our healthcare systems overnight. However, there is huge potential for it to complement human expertise, rather than replace it, while relieving pressure and earning acceptance over time. Success will be determined not solely on technical capability, but on how effectively it supports the realities of care delivery.
By João Pereira, Director, EMEA General Embedded Market Sales at QNX