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Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Shaw, RJ; Chen, B
Published in: Nursing outlook
September 2025

Robotics, driven by advancements in physical artificial intelligence (AI), offers potential solutions-yet many challenges- to creating innovative care models to meet the needs of the future.To present an overview of robotics across various industries and explain how physical AI is aiding the development and integration of robots into skilled nursing. We discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorporating robots into nursing and offer recommendations for nurses on designing equitable, human-centered care models that include robotics.This paper discusses robotics across industries, with a focus on healthcare and nursing. It examines technological capabilities, nursing education needs, and ethical, regulatory, and workforce implications.Robots are increasingly used for logistics, cleaning, and limited direct care tasks. Advancement in physical AI will enable robots to perceive, reason, and act in dynamic environments, supporting human-robot teaming and patient care. Challenges include technical limitations, ethical concerns, disparities in access, and regulatory gaps. Nursing education must evolve to prepare professionals for collaborative practice with robotic systems.Robotics must be designed to augment care delivery, such as through virtual care models and remote operation. Nurses must lead in designing, implementing, and regulating robotic technologies to ensure they enhance patient outcomes and promote health equity.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Nursing outlook

DOI

EISSN

1528-3968

ISSN

0029-6554

Publication Date

September 2025

Volume

73

Issue

5

Start / End Page

102495

Related Subject Headings

  • Robotics
  • Nursing
  • Humans
  • Education, Nursing
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • 4205 Nursing
  • 1110 Nursing
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Shaw, R. J., & Chen, B. (2025). Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics. Nursing Outlook, 73(5), 102495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102495
Shaw, Ryan J., and Boyuan Chen. “Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics.Nursing Outlook 73, no. 5 (September 2025): 102495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102495.
Shaw RJ, Chen B. Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics. Nursing outlook. 2025 Sep;73(5):102495.
Shaw, Ryan J., and Boyuan Chen. “Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics.Nursing Outlook, vol. 73, no. 5, Sept. 2025, p. 102495. Epmc, doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2025.102495.
Shaw RJ, Chen B. Physical artificial intelligence in nursing: Robotics. Nursing outlook. 2025 Sep;73(5):102495.
Journal cover image

Published In

Nursing outlook

DOI

EISSN

1528-3968

ISSN

0029-6554

Publication Date

September 2025

Volume

73

Issue

5

Start / End Page

102495

Related Subject Headings

  • Robotics
  • Nursing
  • Humans
  • Education, Nursing
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • 4205 Nursing
  • 1110 Nursing