Irish robotics company Akara Robotics, a spinout from Trinity College Dublin, has successfully deployed two state-of-the-art decontamination robots at Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, part of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. These robots are revolutionising cleaning processes in hospital wards and operating theatres by providing a faster and more efficient approach to decontamination.
The deployment was made possible through a generous donation from the Friends of the Friarage, enabling the hospital to acquire Akara’s innovative UV decontamination units. Following a successful pilot trial, the robots, recognised as the "Best Newcomer" at the 2024 Infection Prevention Society (IPS) Conference, are now operational in the hospital’s clinical decision unit, wards, and operating theatres as part of an extended clinical evaluation.
The robots work alongside the hospital’s environmental services team, enabling quicker room turnover while maintaining high standards of cleanliness. Niamh Donnelly, Co-Founder and Chief Robotics Officer at Akara Robotics, highlighted the advanced capabilities of the units:
“Akara’s robots are the result of over a decade of robotics and artificial intelligence research at Trinity College Dublin. Their unique AI capabilities allow them to operate autonomously, navigating and decontaminating rooms based on programmed cleaning instructions. We’re incredibly proud to see our robots contributing to patient safety and supporting hospital staff.”
In collaboration with frontline staff, Akara has also developed a bespoke workflows app to eliminate the need for paper checklists. This app provides real-time alerts when rooms are ready, further enhancing operational efficiency.
Dr. James Dunbar, Consultant in Infection and General Medicine and Chair of the Friarage Clinical Collaborative, emphasized the importance of this technology:
“Antibiotic-resistant microbes are one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today, and our primary defense is effective cleaning and decontamination. Our initial trial with Akara’s technology delivered outstanding results, and we are thrilled to continue this collaboration thanks to the support from the Friends of the Friarage. Working with cutting-edge robotic technology keeps us at the forefront of innovation in patient care.”
Akara’s impact extends beyond the UK. Earlier this year, the company participated in the Techstars Healthcare Accelerator in Los Angeles, a prestigious program sponsored by major US healthcare providers, including UnitedHealth and Cedars-Sinai. After a successful trial in a US hospital, Akara has gained momentum in the American market.
Conor McGinn, CEO of Akara Robotics and Professor at Trinity’s School of Engineering, shared the company’s vision:
“Our robots are designed not only to enhance the quality and consistency of cleaning but also to streamline workflows and reduce the workload on staff. By enabling quicker room turnovers, our technology helps hospitals improve efficiency and patient care. We’re excited about our continued partnership with Friarage Hospital and our plans for expansion in the US and Europe.”
Looking ahead, Akara is gearing up to formally launch a new product aimed at helping hospitals reclaim lost time in surgical departments, further enhancing efficiency and patient throughput. The company remains committed to scaling operations globally and driving innovation in healthcare decontamination.
Akara Robotics’ work at Friarage Hospital marks a significant step forward in leveraging robotics to address critical healthcare challenges and improve patient outcomes worldwide.