Noah Hospital Logistics Robot

The Noah Hospital Logistics Robot represents Zhihuilin Medical’s flagship product line, comprising an integrated system of autonomous guided vehicles designed specifically for healthcare facility material transportation. Positioned as “Fifth Generation Hospital Logistics,” the Noah system combines 5G connectivity, AI-powered navigation, and autonomous driving technology to achieve fully automated intra-hospital delivery.

Product Overview

Noah robots address a fundamental challenge in hospital operations: the daily movement of 20+ tons of materials within a typical 700-bed facility, traditionally requiring approximately 60 staff members. The system automates this process through a fleet of specialized robots, each designed for specific material types and hospital zones.

The product family includes six series with 17 distinct models, covering 21 hospital logistics scenarios. According to Zhihuilin Medical, the system addresses 95% of hospital material transportation needs while achieving 100% delivery accuracy through digital tracking and verification systems.

Key Features

5G Connectivity: The Noah series became the first commercial hospital logistics robot to integrate 5G communications, enabling real-time video transmission for AI-based obstacle detection and central fleet management.

Multi-Scenario Coverage: Robots are optimized for specific applications including:

• Inpatient ward medicine delivery
• Laboratory specimen transport
• Pharmacy distribution
• Sterile supply center logistics
• Operating room material handling
• Medical waste collection

Intelligent Navigation: SLAM-based autonomous navigation with dynamic obstacle avoidance handles complex hospital environments including crowded corridors, elevator usage, and automatic door integration.

Digital Traceability: Full-chain tracking of transported materials with timestamped records of pickup, transit, and delivery, particularly important for controlled substances and high-value medical supplies.

Technical Specifications

Noah’s 5G-assisted SLAM navigation enables 24/7 autonomous delivery at 300–600 kg across 17 robot models designed for 21 distinct hospital logistics scenarios.

Product Series

Series 1-2: General Logistics

Standard delivery robots for routine material transport including linens, documents, and general supplies.

Series 3: Pharmacy Logistics

Specialized cabinets with compartmentalized storage for medication delivery, featuring barcode verification and temperature monitoring where required.

Series 5: Controlled Substances

Enhanced security features for narcotics and controlled medication transport, including:

• Multi-factor authentication for access
• Real-time location tracking
• Complete chain-of-custody documentation
• Automatic alerts for route deviations

Disinfection Series

UV-C and chemical disinfection capabilities for transport cabinet interiors, developed in response to COVID-19 infection control requirements. Models feature automatic self-disinfection cycles between deliveries.

Clinical Applications

Noah robots operate across multiple hospital departments with distinct workflow requirements:

Inpatient Departments: Medicine delivery from pharmacy to nursing stations, specimen collection from wards to laboratories, meal distribution (in partnership with dietary services).

Laboratory Services: Specimen transport maintaining chain-of-custody requirements, with specialized containers for different sample types and urgency levels.

Operating Rooms: Sterile instrument delivery, surgical supply distribution, and post-procedure waste collection with appropriate containment.

Support Services: Linen distribution, medical waste collection, and general supply replenishment throughout facility zones.

Regulatory Status

Note: Hospital logistics robots are classified as service robots rather than medical devices, thus not requiring NMPA medical device registration. The CR (China Robot) Certification indicates compliance with national robot safety and quality standards.

Deployment Considerations

Infrastructure Requirements: Facilities require 5G or reliable WiFi coverage, elevator integration capability, and automatic door compatibility for full autonomous operation.

Fleet Sizing: Typical deployments range from 8 robots (mid-sized facilities) to 20+ units (large medical centers), with central dispatch systems managing task allocation.

Implementation Timeline: Standard deployment includes site survey, infrastructure assessment, robot configuration, staff training, and phased rollout over 2-4 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of materials can Noah robots transport?

Noah robots handle medicines, laboratory specimens, medical supplies, sterile instruments, linens, documents, meals, and medical waste. The system covers approximately 95% of hospital material transportation needs through its 17 specialized robot models.

How does Noah compare to traditional hospital logistics?

Compared to manual transport or legacy conveyor systems, Noah robots offer six advantages: full digital traceability, flexible capacity scaling, reduced cross-infection risk through contactless delivery, lower energy consumption, higher payload capacity with better utilization rates, and improved reliability with lower failure rates.

What certifications does the Noah system hold?

The Noah series holds CR Certification (China Robot Certification), making Zhihuilin Medical the first hospital logistics robot manufacturer to achieve this quality standard. The company also contributed to drafting both national and international robot standards through IEC/TC125.