PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adept Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADEP), a leading provider of intelligent robots and autonomous mobile solutions and services, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to be the exclusive provider of autonomous mobile robots to Swisslog Healthcare Solutions (HCS) for use in hospitals, labs, and clinics to transport specimens, lab samples, and pharmaceuticals.
Swisslog currently ships two variants of autonomous mobile robots, the RoboCourier™ and SpeciMinder™, and both versions have been standardized on the Adept MT400 platform. The units have become indispensable in their deployment transporting materials throughout a variety of facilities, a chore that had previously required human couriers. These staffers are freed to spend their time accessioning specimens, performing tests, and on other activities specific to delivering high levels of patient care.
An analysis of the operation at one hospital employing SpeciMinderTM reveals that the robot is in use 24 hours a day, taking breaks only to recharge between deliveries. The robotic courier makes an average of 280 daily deliveries within the hospital to microbiology, hematology, immunology, and chemistry. In total, including return and charging trips, SpeciMinderTM makes an average of 622 trips each day.
"Adept is pleased to be partnering with Swisslog, a recognized leader in integrated logistics solutions, to bring on-demand delivery systems to healthcare," said John Dulchinos, President and CEO of Adept Technology, Inc. "With rapidly changing demographics increasing the strain on today's healthcare system, clinicians and other trained professionals are actively seeking means of reducing monotonous duties such as ferrying items from one location to another within a clinic, hospital, or lab. Whether it has been tube systems or automated material transport systems (AMTS), Swisslog has been delivering innovative methods in which materials flow efficiently and safely through healthcare facilities for decades. As such, Adept is proud to have been selected as Swisslog's exclusive provider of autonomous mobile robot systems to continue improving the efficiency and quality of healthcare systems."
With the demand for nursing in North America projected to grow by 23% per year according to the bureau of labor statistics, hospital administrators are looking for means to improve the effectiveness of their staff. Automated transport systems help improve the efficiency associated with hospital and clinical care by increasing safety through secure and traceable transport, reducing medical error, and through providing faster interdepartmental response.
"When I think about this partnership, the 'best of both worlds' comes to mind," said Charlie Kegley, president of Swisslog Healthcare Solutions North America. "Adept has a tremendous résumé as it relates to robotics technology. By coupling their technological expertise with our extensive sales, installation and support capabilities, this partnership will deliver to hospitals new and improved AMRs that will enhance productivity, improve patient care and bolster their bottom-line."
Adept will continue to apply its industrial automation heritage, spanned 28 years of servicing a variety of industries, to manufacture and deliver reliable and easy to use autonomous mobile robots to Swisslog. To date, Adept has deployed over 3,000 mobile robotic systems across its targeted markets ranging from healthcare to manufacturing. Swisslog's AMTS group provides the marketing, sales, and training of mobile transports for the healthcare industry. This team is dedicated to the conveyance and transport of a wide range of lighter-load materials throughout facilities. Outside of mobile robots, AMTS deploys systems such as pneumatic tube systems, automated guided vehicles, electric track and vehicles to offer a broad range of material handling solutions and facilities configurations.
About Swisslog
Swisslog Healthcare Solutions is the leading supplier of logistics automation solutions for healthcare facilities. Swisslog has installed automated materials transport and medication management systems in more than 3,000 hospitals around the world, including more than 2,000 in North America. Swisslog offers total systems design, manufacturing, installation and customer support providing a complete supply chain management approach to the logistics challenges of hospitals. The North American division of Swisslog Healthcare Solutions is based in Denver, Colo. Additional information is available at www.swisslog.com.
About Adept Technology, Inc.
Adept is a global, leading provider of intelligent robots and autonomous mobile solutions and services that enable customers to achieve precision, speed, quality and productivity in their assembly, handling, packaging, testing, and logistical processes. With a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance motion controllers, application development software, vision-guidance technology and high-reliability robot mechanisms with autonomous capabilities, Adept provides specialized, cost-effective robotics systems and services to high-growth markets including Packaging, Medical, Disk Drive/Electronics, and Solar; as well as to traditional industrial markets including machine tool automation and automotive components. More information is available at www.adept.com.
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