Robots in nursing homes: cost relief and operational safety

In the current care landscape, many robotics projects fail due to the complexity of the hardware selection and the lack of integration into existing IT systems. werob does not act as a manufacturer, but as a specialized system integrator. While a single OEM only sells its own product, over 44 partner manufacturers rank against the specific requirements of your company. With access to over 280 different robot models, we ensure that the hardware you choose exactly matches your facility's floor plan, flooring and task profiles.

This hardware-agnostic approach prevents vendor lock-in and guarantees that you are always using the most powerful technology. Our Spec Engine translates your workflows into a technical specification in just 48 hours. This shortens the industry-standard discovery phase from several months to just a few days. werob takes full responsibility for operational success, which is reflected in our outcome-only model: you only pay when the robot is in productive use.

The economic validity of robotics in care can be determined by concrete numbers. In the medication round, our customers realize an annual cost reduction of €92,000 per location. This sum results from the savings in travel time, which the highly qualified staff can instead use for direct care of the resident. For general transport tasks, such as distributing dirty laundry or distributing food, the relief amounts to an average of €71,000 per year and location.

Large care groups such as Korian Germany were able to record double-digit cost reductions in the first year of implementation. When scaling to multiple locations, this effect is multiplied. An example calculation for a care group with four locations and five robots each shows an annual relief potential of around 1.8 million euros. These numbers are not theoretical projections, but are based on data from over 200 robots that werob is currently controlling in live operation in eleven European countries.

A critical factor for the long-term operation of robots in Germany is compliance with strict regulatory requirements. From January 20, 2027, the new EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 will be binding. Many Asian OEMs currently do not have the necessary conformity assessments for the European market. werob acts as your compliance path here. We ensure that all systems used meet the requirements of the regulation and the ISO 13482 standard for personal care robots.

In addition, we take into account the requirements of the state home supervision and data protection (GDPR). Since robots are equipped with cameras and sensors, legally compliant data processing is essential. Our live cockpit monitors the fleet in four dimensions: hardware, infrastructure, regulatory and specification. If a system goes outside the compliance parameters, an immediate message is sent. This protects you as the operator from liability risks and ensures a smooth audit process by the supervisory authorities.

A robot that acts as an isolated isolated solution creates additional work instead of relief. The true value of the werob platform lies in the pre-built connectors. We integrate robotics directly into your existing software stack, for example in PointClickCare or MatrixCare. Through this connection, the robot knows in real time which tasks are pending, which rooms need to be addressed and what the status of medication distribution is.

This deep integration allows care documentation to be automatically updated when a robot has completed a delivery. We use standardized interfaces to drastically reduce implementation time. While conventional IT projects in nursing often take months, werob promises a ready-to-use offer within five days and a robot in live operation within eight weeks. This speed is only possible because we don't reinvent the wheel for every project, but rather rely on proven connector architectures.

In addition to specialized service robots for transport tasks, humanoid systems are increasingly coming into focus. The first humanoid is currently in its twelfth week of operation in a Hamburg care facility. Partners like Apptronik with the Apollo model or manufacturers like 1X and Figure AI are developing systems that are able to take on more complex tasks in an environment designed for humans. werob continuously evaluates these technologies and integrates them into the supplier match process.

Humanoid robots offer the advantage that they do not require any structural adjustments to the infrastructure. They can open doors, operate elevators and operate in narrow hallways that are difficult for wider transport robots to access. Even though the widespread use of humanoids is still in its early stages, werob is paving the way for the gradual integration of these systems into everyday care. The focus is always on the safety of residents and acceptance by staff, accompanied by compliance with IEC 62443 for cybersecurity.

After successful implementation, the fleet management phase begins. The werob Cockpit offers a central overview of all active robots at all locations. A four-dimensional traffic light system immediately indicates if there are technical problems, the WLAN infrastructure is patchy or regulatory updates are required. This transparency is crucial for nursing service managers and operations directors to guarantee the availability of the systems.

The cockpit also provides detailed reports on the services provided and the cost savings achieved. This data serves as the basis for the continuous optimization of operational plans. Since werob works according to the outcome-only model, we have a direct interest in ensuring that your fleet runs at maximum efficiency. We take care of the monitoring and support so that your building technology and your nursing staff do not have to deal with the technical details of robotics. This ensures a high level of acceptance and lasting relief in everyday working life.

The following table provides an overview of the typical areas of application and the associated economic advantages when integrated by werob:

Starting with werob is deliberately designed to be simple. Our eight-step onboarding process begins with recording your specific shift routines in your own words. You don't have to be a tech expert; our Spec Engine translates your requirements into the necessary technical parameters. You will receive a detailed specification within 48 hours and a binding offer after five days.

Once you have decided on a solution, we coordinate delivery and integration into your IT stack. After eight weeks, the robot will be ready for use on your floor. Since we have already successfully implemented 200 robots in eleven countries, we have the necessary experience to quickly automate even complex environments. Start your specification now and get the operational relief your team needs.