Healthcare Automation Innovation Journey

Date: 14 Oct 2026 | Time: 1435 - 1455 | Venue: Level 1, L1-S1, Academia (SGH Campus)

Track: Session 5.2 Technology & Innovation

Speaker: 

Overview:

Healthcare systems around the world are facing growing demands for efficiency while also maintaining the quality of care, which includes reducing the spread of infectious diseases. With shortage in workforce and rising operational pressures, focus is mainly directed towards treatment, and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases can be neglected at times. Automation and robotics is a potential transformative solution to address this.

In this presentation, Assoc Prof Tan will share some of his innovation journey in healthcare automation, with examples like nurse-robot teaming for the delivery of commodes and the development of an autonomous robot for disinfection in the ward for patients with communicable disease. The first example will highlight how robots can support frontline nursing staff by reducing the cleaning work and freeing time to focus on direct patient care. The second example demonstrates the potential of robotic systems to reduce manpower required while maintaining infection control. Together, these efforts illustrate a broader vision of how robotics can contribute to create a more sustainable healthcare environment.