Projects

BluE
Blueprints for the Universal Introduction of Automated Transport Systems in Hospitals
Start: 08/2026
End: 07/2028

The BluE project is developing a modular toolbox that supports hospitals in planning and introducing automated transport systems. It captures structural requirements, operational conditions and material flows. To do so, it combines a configurable blueprint framework with simulation-based decision support. This makes it possible to generate tailored guidelines for new and existing buildings and to simulate them in advance.
In industry, automated guided vehicles and mobile robots have long been part of everyday operations. In hospitals, however, they are still rarely used. This is because hospitals differ greatly in size, building structure, processes and staffing. In addition, logistics must run smoothly without disrupting patient care. Yet automated transport could help address staff shortages, make processes more reliable and reduce costs.

This is where BluE comes in. The project is developing a modular toolbox that supports hospital decision-makers from the initial assessment through to a concrete implementation plan. It builds on many years of practical experience from numerous implementation projects, which is systematically captured and made digitally usable.

The toolbox consists of several components:
– An analysis tool captures a hospital's conditions, such as building layout and transport demand, with little effort.
– A blueprint configurator derives suitable process models, risk management plans and cost-effectiveness assessments from this data.
– A simulation shows in advance how introducing a transport system will affect material flows and the project timeline.

In addition, training concepts are being developed to make this knowledge accessible to the groups of people involved. In the long term, the aim is a tool that also makes it easier to introduce modern transport technologies in other complex environments.

Role of the FZI
FZI Research Center for Information Technology contributes its expertise from the Information Process Engineering (IPE) research division. The division focuses on data-driven decision support for planning and controlling production and logistics systems, including logistics processes in hospitals.

In BluE, FZI is mainly responsible for the AI- and simulation-based components of the toolbox. These include methods for digitally capturing a hospital's spatial and logistical conditions and preparing them for simulation. FZI is also developing concepts for representing knowledge about conditions and procedures in a structured way and for deriving suitable blueprints from it.

Simulation is a key focus. It allows the effects of introducing a transport system on material flows and project processes to be visualized and evaluated during the planning phase. This provides a sound basis for investment decisions. FZI also supports the testing and further development of the toolbox using realistic scenarios.

Contact person
Department Manager
Division: Information Process Engineering
Headquarters Karlsruhe

Research focus
Mobility and Logistics

Autonomous shuttles, intelligent logistics, and software-defined vehicles: We use IT to create the connected, safe, and sustainable mobility and logistics solutions of tomorrow.

Illustration

Funding notice:
gefördert duch das

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