Yuman

Yuman ApS is a Danish robotics company addressing the significant operational inefficiency in healthcare, where nurses spend up to a third of their day walking to fetch supplies. Founded in February 2022 by Sara Lopez Alaguero (CEO) and Andrei Chirtoaca (CTO), the company originated from their entrepreneurial master's thesis at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). Their shared passion for robotics and the realization of a substantial need for automation in the hospital sector propelled the venture.

The company's core product is "Buddy," an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to act as a personal assistant for healthcare professionals in hospitals and nursing homes. Buddy automates the transport of essential items like medical supplies, medication, blood samples, linen, and wound care equipment, thereby reducing nurses' steps and minimizing interruptions during patient care. This allows staff to remain with patients, enhancing both workflow efficiency and the quality of patient interaction. Developed through close co-creation partnerships with Danish hospitals, including Bispebjerg Hospital, the robot is built to navigate busy and dynamic hospital corridors safely. Healthcare staff can summon Buddy using their work phones, requiring no specialized technical knowledge.

Yuman's business model centers on a modular robot design. This allows a single base model to be customized for various needs within a healthcare facility, such as distributing supplies or bringing food, making it a versatile asset. The company targets hospital departments, nursing homes, and hospital logistics as its primary clients. Since its inception, Yuman has achieved significant milestones, including being named the Most Promising Robotics Startup in Europe in 2022 and winning the Startup of the Year Award from Odense Robotics in 2023. The founders were also listed in Forbes' 30 Under 30 Europe for Manufacturing & Industry in 2023. The company has secured over DKK 5.8 million in public funding from Danish and European agencies to advance its development and expand its team.

Keywords: healthcare robotics, autonomous mobile robots, nursing support, hospital automation, medical logistics, clinical workflow optimization, AMR, healthcare efficiency, patient care technology, assistive robotics, Danish robotics, MedTech, hospital transport, nursing productivity, Yuman Buddy, Sara Lopez Alaguero, Andrei Chirtoaca, DTU startup, Odense Robotics, co-creation healthcare