Out of a total of 113 applications to the Research Council of Norway, the project "Service robots as work support in municipal health and care services" (SAKO) was one of only ten projects to receive funding in December.
The SAKO project aims to develop and test robots that can relieve healthcare personnel by handling heavy and routine tasks, such as transporting dirty laundry and waste. The project is led by Professor Mariann Fossum at the Centre for e-health and the Department of Health and Nursing Sciences at the University of Agder.
I could hardly believe it when they called. This is so exciting, and it's great that we now have the opportunity to do this. There are so many talented people in the municipalities, and the fact that we’ll be working on this together is going to be fantastic
The project targets some of the most pressing challenges in the healthcare and elder care sector: an aging population, a shortage of healthcare workers, and increasing demands for efficiency. By freeing up time from routine tasks, healthcare professionals can focus on patient care, thereby improving service quality and the work environment for staff.
Mapping, testing, and implementation
The SAKO project employs a systematic approach by mapping the needs of nursing homes in close collaboration with staff and management. Three different robots will be tested in the I4Heatlh lab at Campus Grimstad before being deployed in nursing homes in Grimstad, Risør, and Arendal.
"Robots will take over physically demanding tasks from staff. These aren’t robots that talk or interact but rather perform tasks that help reduce the workload on healthcare personnel", explains Mariann Fossum.
By introducing collaborative robots (cobots) and autonomous mobile robots for routine tasks, the initiative enables caregivers to focus on patient treatment, increasing both efficiency and quality, adds Professor Filippo Sanfilippo from the Department of Engineering Sciences at UiA.
Through pilot studies and a quasi-experimental approach, the project will measure the robots' impact on efficiency, work environments, and service quality. This ensures a thorough evaluation of the benefits and challenges of using service robots.
Multidisciplinary collaboration for robust solutions
The project is a result of close cooperation between UiA, municipalities, and international partners such as Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) in Finland. It is grounded in UiA’s expertise in both e-health and technology, using interdisciplinary methods that combine robotics, health research, and practice-oriented implementation.
According to Professor Sanfilippo, the project is also an important contribution to the development of Human-Robot Teaming (HRT).
"This human-centered approach ensures that robots work alongside staff to support their tasks, not replace them. The technology is intended to enhance patient care and improve the daily lives of healthcare personnel", he explains.
The project also fosters valuable synergies with UiA’s academic programmes, such as Biomechatronics, offering students unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience and contribute to advancing future healthcare robotics. Sanfilippo invites motivated and talented students to join the team and enroll in courses like Biomechatronics and Assistive Technology. Additionally, tailored bachelor’s and master’s projects can be available for those eager to delve deeper into this innovative field.
Integration with Grimstad’s university nursing home
The project is closely tied to the development of the planned university nursing home in Grimstad, scheduled for completion between 2029 and 2031. The facility will serve as a national model for how technology can improve both services and working conditions in elder care.
"The SAKO project funding will also contribute to developing the services planned for the university nursing home. We see great potential in integrating robotics into daily operations", says Silje Bjerkås, project manager for the university nursing home.
The robots are designed to address specific needs, such as transporting laundry over long distances, freeing up healthcare staff to spend more time on direct patient care.
Sustainable solutions for future healthcare
With increasing pressure on healthcare services, the SAKO project is a significant step toward sustainable solutions. The project aims to improve working conditions for healthcare personnel, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and enhance service quality for patients.
"This project has the potential to serve as a model for other municipalities in Norway and internationally. The goal is not only to improve services but also to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system", concludes Fossum.
About the project
- Leader: Mariann Fossum, UiA
- Coordinator: Centre for e-Health, UiA
- Funding: NOK 16 million from the Research Council of Norway
- Duration: 2025–2029
- Partners: Municipalities of Arendal, Risør, and Grimstad; LUT University, Finland