Pennsylvania Hospitals Purchase Aethon's Tug

Hospitals in Pennsylvania have purchased several Tug robots. These haul carts to and fro, saving the nurse's time and the administration's dime. The robots are expected to save the hospital "$240,000 over five years."

Technically, the Tug is impressive. It hauls up to 500 pounds. It runs 10 hours on a 2 hour charge and automatically self-recharges. It navigates by combined mapping and dead-reckoning, said to be accurate within 3". The Tug communicates with staff, other Tugs, and the building elevators via wireless Ethernet. And it keeps on going, the Tug has a life-time of 5 years in the inhospitable hospital environment.

A company called Aethon makes the Tug. Aethon, a small business with 55 employees, was founded in 2000 and shipped its first Tug in 2003. For those readers in PA, you might check it out. They are hiring.