ABB today signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital to jointly research robots and automated systems for hospital wards, laboratories and pharmacies and to drive technological innovation in the medical treatment and healthcare industry.
As a first-rate hospital in China integrating Chinese and Western medicine, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital combines medical treatment, scientific research, health management, rehabilitation and education into a single institution. It constantly seeks innovation in diagnosis and treatment models and actively explores the use of automation, smart, and digital technologies in improving the efficiency and quality of medical treatment. In the future, ABB will work with the Hospital to develop leading robot automation solutions to create novel methods for disease treatment and patient care.
Tang Shiqing, Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Pudong New Area and Director of Pudong Technology and Economy Commission, Li Xinming, Secretary of Party Working Committee and Director of Pudong Health Commission, President Wang Jiening and Party Secretary Xu Yuying of Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital, James Li, Head of ABB Robotics & Discrete Automation Business in China, and Tony Tang, Head of ABB Service Robotics in China, attended the signing ceremony.
Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital 
Signing ceremony
“ABB’s extensive experience in industrial and collaborative robotics provides a strong basis for us to adapt automation technology to the medical treatment and healthcare industry, particularly medical laboratory and hospital logistics tasks. Automation can release medical staff from repetitive, time-consuming and tedious processes, improve medical treatment efficiency and allow medical professionals and researchers to focus on much more valuable work, which will ultimately enable the treatment of more patients,” said James Li.
ABB analysis shows that repetitive tasks could be completed up to 50 per cent faster with automation, compared to current manual processes, with the added benefit that robots can work 24 hours a day.
“The medical industry is currently facing the challenges of an aging population and a growing shortage of highly skilled medical staff. In order to provide patients with efficient diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare services, Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital is committed to utilizing the latest automation, digital, and smart technologies to promote transformation and upgrade in the healthcare industry. By working together with ABB, we will develop robotic automation solutions for hospital wards, pharmacies and laboratories to provide support for our pharmacists, doctors and nurses, so that we will be able to better perform clinical practice, strengthen management and care for patients.,” said Wang Jiening.
A key element of ABB’s long-term growth strategy is to continue to invest and innovate in service robotics, bringing our automation expertise to new areas such as healthcare. In October 9, 2019, ABB opened its global healthcare research hub on the Texas Medical Center (TMC) campus, in Houston, US where ABB’s research team will work with medical staff, scientists and engineers to develop medical robotics systems. The cooperation with Shanghai Seventh People’s Hospital is also an important part of ABB Robotics global strategy in healthcare sector.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a technology leader that is driving the digital transformation of industries. With a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB has four customer-focused, globally leading businesses: Electrification, Industrial Automation, Motion, and Robotics & Discrete Automation, supported by the ABB Ability™ digital platform. ABB’s Power Grids business will be divested to Hitachi in 2020. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
ABB Robotics is a pioneer in industrial and collaborative robots and advanced digital services. As one of the world’s leading robotics suppliers, we are active in 53 countries and over 100 locations and have shipped over 400,000 robot solutions for a diverse range of industries and applications. We help our customers to improve flexibility, efficiency, safety and reliability, while moving towards the connected and collaborative factory of the future. www.abb.com/robotics
