CLEARWATER, FL, Apr 22, 2026 – BayCare Health System and Rovex have begun a pilot at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida, to test robotic systems for patient transport and hospital operations. The pilot examines how the robots track transport routes, fit into existing workflows, and operate within clinical areas without interrupting routine care.
“We are excited to join forces with Rovex to shape the future of hospital robotics and introduce this cutting-edge innovation to BayCare, the health care industry and the communities we serve,” said Craig Anderson, BayCare’s vice president of Innovation.
The work is structured in phases that review transport workflows, movement patterns, and operational constraints inside the hospital. Early stages focus on observing current processes and identifying where robotic support could fit. Later phases are planned to assess robotic stretcher movement within the facility. No patients are being transported by robots during the current stage.
“BayCare is an ideal partner because they understand that delivering better patient care requires innovation across every aspect of hospital operations,” said David Crabb, founder and chief executive officer of Rovex. “Hospital logistics has downstream effects on staff workload, patient flow and the patient experience. As an emergency physician, I saw firsthand how often providers are pulled away from direct patient care by operational tasks, and our goal at Rovex is to help return more of that time to patients.”
The evaluation looks at how robotic systems handle routine transport tasks that involve repeated movement across departments. The aim is to understand how these systems function alongside staff and how they affect day-to-day operations, including task allocation and physical workload.
“What’s most compelling about this pilot is the chance to closely evaluate and learn,” said Dr. Chris Bucciarelli, BayCare’s vice president of ambulatory services and chief medical officer. “By carefully studying how robotics may support patient transport in a real hospital environment, we can generate insights that extend well beyond one facility. Those learnings have the potential to inform how health systems everywhere think about designing care environments that better support both patients and the people who care for them.”
“Health care has seen enormous investment in digital tools and AI, but hospitals still depend on a huge amount of physical work behind the scenes,” said Crabb. “We believe robotics can help offload some of that manual burden so staff and providers can spend more time focused on patients.”
The pilot will also examine whether robotic systems affect throughput and use of existing hospital capacity under real conditions. The review includes workflow timing, system integration, and operational impact as hospitals address rising demand and workforce constraints.
Source: BayCare Health System
About Rovex
Rovex develops autonomous mobile robots for hospital logistics and patient transport. Its systems move patients and materials within healthcare facilities and integrate with existing workflows. The company uses simulation and digital twin methods to model and manage transport processes. Rovex serves hospitals, healthcare providers, and medical institutions, supporting patient movement, internal logistics, and operational planning. The company was founded in 2024 by emergency physician David Crabb. It is headquartered in Gainesville, FL.
About BayCare
BayCare is a not-for-profit health system that provides hospital care, outpatient services, and medical programs across West Central Florida. The system operates 16 hospitals, including a children’s hospital, and several hundred care locations across the Tampa Bay and Central Florida regions. Its network includes urgent care centers, laboratories, imaging facilities, surgical centers, wellness centers, and home care services through BayCare HomeCare. BayCare also manages physician networks through BayCare Medical Group and offers Medicare Advantage insurance plans. The organization serves patients, families, and communities across primary care, behavioral health, pediatric care, and surgical services. Its operations support diagnostics, treatment, and long-term care across multiple facilities. BayCare was founded in 1997. It is headquartered in Clearwater, FL. The organization employs about 29,000 to 33,000 people.