# Robotics Applications in the Hospital Domain:
## 5 Future Directions  
As the autonomy of robotic systems increases, the use of robots in unstructured environments such as hospitals will expand and become more common. Increased adaptability and precision will allow medical procedures to become more personalized and truly tailored to the patient. With the constant integration of different technologies and the use of virtualization tools in the context of healthcare, the metaverse has been proposed [55]. This approach to healthcare makes use of the most advanced technologies that can be applied in the context of digital health, including AI, robotics, quantum computing, IoT, and multi-robot systems. Its integration with advanced automation and decision-making tools can transform the way healthcare services are delivered [2, 33, 56]. Recent research into autonomous robotic systems as an approach to performing surgery has shown greater precision and reduced accidental movements. These new methods can be used to perform new types of surgery, such as spinal surgery, in addition to benefits associated with post-operative care and calculating patient recovery times [57]. The integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in robotics, especially in the hospital context, has been changing the paradigm of healthcare, specifically in Seetohul [58]. VR and AR are two distinct but interconnected technologies that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. VR enables access to computer-generated images, providing a simulated reality that can be indistinguishable from the physical world [59]. AR enhances the real-world environment, overlaying the digital one with information from the physical environment [59]. Today, there are advanced surgical robotic systems that exploit the collaboration between robotics and associated AI, VR, and AR technologies by performing pre-programmed repetitive tasks with minimal AI training, in addition to supplementary visual, olfactory, and haptic modalities that have been shown to increase HRI and, therefore, improve overall system performance. Although these systems are still in the early stages of development, it is already possible to have an operating concept based on virtual superposition, which consists of replacing the original view of an object with AR. A good example is the AR-based surgical navigation system called VisAR, developed by Novarad enterprise healthcare solutions; it is in the operational stage, and operates based on the virtual superimposition of organs with submillimeter precision [58]. In addition, visualization and teleoperation can enable complex medical procedures to be carried out remotely, improving access to and the quality of healthcare. However, for these technologies to be effective, it is necessary to develop new, robust, reliable, and secure solutions that can be used in cybernetic design [2]. Furthermore, these solutions must be sustainable and easy to implement [56]. The collaboration of all interested parties, including industry, regulators, professionals, users, legislators, and governments, is essential for creating the necessary infrastructures that will allow these approaches to be implemented in our society [2]. In healthcare, automation can improve the accuracy and efficiency of medical procedures, while multi-robot systems can collaborate in hospital environments to carry out complex tasks. Virtualization and teleoperation can enable the remote execution of surgeries and other critical procedures. Integrating these emerging technologies into hospitals will not only improve the quality of care but will also increase patient safety and reduce operating costs [56, 60].