{"id":245032,"date":"2026-04-24T17:21:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/245032\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T17:21:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T17:21:05","slug":"autonomous-robot-company-begins-pilot-with-baycare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/245032\/","title":{"rendered":"Autonomous robot company begins pilot with BayCare"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rovex Technologies Corporation is one of the member organizations at St. Petersburg-based incubator spARK Labs by ARK Invest. The Gainesville-based autonomous robot company <\/a>opened an office in February.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Rovex founder and CEO David Crabb, the startup began a pilot program with BayCare Health System this month. Rovi, a device that can carry stretchers, will be implemented at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a really exciting moment,\u201d he said. BayCare \u201cis pushing towards this concept of using autonomous robots to offload work from our health care workers so that they can focus on the patient.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Crabb, developing a solution was personal. He previously was an emergency room physician. The medical professional saw hospital logistical challenges first hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Crabb explained that the seven-month pilot program will take place in phases. Currently, Rovex is analyzing the state of BayCare\u2019s patient flow and operations. This will allow Crabb and his team to discover optimization opportunities and determine where robotic technologies \u201cfit in.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rovi will first move in \u201csimple patterns\u201d in a \u201cnon-patient facing area.\u201d The device will then be utilized in \u201cactive clinical environments.\u201d It will eventually perform empty stretcher transportation tasks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rovex and BayCare began to have discussions about a pilot in mid 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHealth care systems are big and complex,\u201d Crabb said. \u201cWhat\u2019s impressive about BayCare is that the organization is innovative, nimble, future-oriented and willing to move operations forward in ways that mean a lot to patients and staff.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

This first pilot is pivotal, he added. The Rovex team wants to integrate autonomous robot technologies into health systems around the country. Conservations with other hospitals are in the works.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rovex\u2019s goal in the future is to move patients autonomously, Crabb said. The company is progressing towards the necessary regulatory measures to achieve this.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Designing Rovi was challenging. Crabb and his team needed to make sure that the robot could be attached to any stretcher or bed with free spinning caster wheels. Space requirements were another concern. Rovi can fit into elevators and other confined areas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Prototypes were tested at Rovex\u2019s Gainesville headquarters. The company even developed its own mock hospital, Rovex General. According to Crabb, it was\u00a0was created based on the same Facility Guidelines Institute standards that healthcare facilities use.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The office at spARK Labs by ARK Invest has been essential in the pilot process, he said. \u201cIt\u2019s part of the reason why we are working with BayCare.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Crabb explained that the facility serves as a local base, especially on the \u201cintegration side.\u201d Additionally, the Rovex team uses the space as a hub for traveling. This can help foster discussions with additional health care systems in the Tampa Bay area and around the country.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The incubator\u2019s community has had a key impact. Crabb added that he speaks with other founders on a weekly basis to \u201cexchange ideas and connections.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis pilot reflects BayCare\u2019s interest in helping shape emerging technology that can deliver meaningful value for both our academic health system and the broader health care industry,\u201d said BayCare vice president of innovation Craig Anderson in a statement prepared for the Catalyst. \u201cRovex stood out for its physician\u2011led approach, strong leadership team and clear focus on supporting care teams and improving hospital operations, particularly patient transport workflows.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Rovex website\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

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