AS16127 Collaborative Robots ( Cobots)

Hampshire County Council are interested in utilising cobot technology to support effective manual handling techniques in care delivery, and thereby enabling carers to undertake more single-handed care where it is assessed as safe to do so. By enabling more single-handed care delivery, this not only improves capacity for care providers to address the growing demand for care, but it also improves service user dignity and privacy. Relying on one carer instead of two gives the service user more control over when their care is arranged and delivered and reduces exposure to cross-infection. This is particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is important to note that the Council intends to use cobot technology to assist care workers with physical moving and handling of vulnerable adults, however, they will not be used in isolation. Cobots will be deployed as part of a five year programme of work to enhance and sustain care delivery for generations to come using innovative technology, such as cobots, equipment and training in moving and handling. The cobot is to support the care worker deliver care independently while managing risk appropriately, the cobot is not intended to be used as a medical device to support health needs.