Pharmy: The Future of Hospital Logistics

Arbo Design's Autonomous Robot Revolutionizes Healthcare Delivery

Pharmy, a product of Arbo Design, is a groundbreaking innovation inspired by the challenges faced by Latin American hospitals. These institutions often grapple with the improper allocation of health professionals, leading to increased exposure to diseases and reduced patient attention. Pharmy aims to solve these issues by delivering efficiency, reducing operating costs, and providing a safer environment for healthcare workers.

The autonomous navigation robot is specifically designed for hospital medicine distribution. As a product-service system, Pharmy brings efficiency, cost reduction, and safety, significantly decreasing the chances of healthcare professionals being exposed to diseases. The design allows for non-invasive handling and delivery of loads in a hospital environment, ensuring easy and friendly user interaction.

Pharmy is manufactured using metal stamping and plastic injection technologies, with materials including carbon steel, 304 stainless steel rollers, ABS plastic, nylon, armor-plated bearings, and LEDs. The product dimensions are 460 mm in width, 460 mm in depth, and 1100 mm in height.

Pharmy operates as a single unit robot or a network synchronized system used in hospital and factory logistics. It is composed of a robotic structure attached to a five-drawer cabinet or chest. The robot maps the environment and supplies medicines at the nursing station, with each drawer having independent digital opening for safe and individual access. The unit navigates autonomously to the delivery point, accessing elevators and avoiding obstacles or people.

The project, which started in June 2019 and concluded in December 2019, was entirely developed in Brazil. The design process involved extensive research, including desk field, focus groups, consumer insights, and trend mappings. The biggest challenge was managing an interdisciplinary project involving various stakeholders, such as designers, engineers, nurses, doctors, patients, and IT professionals.

Pharmy's innovative design has earned it the Silver in A' Robotics, Automaton and Automation Design Award in 2020. This award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation.