United Robotics Group and KERN enter into a strategic technology partnership for robotics solutions in clinics and laboratories
Press Release
United Robotics Group and KERN enter into a strategic technology partnership for robotics solutions in clinics and laboratories
- United Robotics Group GmbH (URG) and KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH agree to cooperate on the further development of URG robotics systems
- The partnership pursues a holistic platform approach that integrates robotics systems, hospital IT, processes and data flows.
- The technology partnership aims to further develop robotics and artificial intelligence responsibly and with a human-centered approach in healthcare.
Stuhr, January 6, 2026 United Robotics Group GmbH (URG) announces a strategic technology partnership with KERN Katholische Einrichtungen Ruhrgebiet Nord GmbH, a service network for medicine, nursing, and education with approximately 7.500 employees at around 60 locations in the Ruhr region. The goal is to systematically identify, develop, and scale robotic and AI-supported solutions. These solutions are based on URG's platforms – including uLab Mobile, uLog, uClean, uServe, and uMe – as well as the overarching software and orchestration layer uGo+.
The starting point is a successfully implemented use case at the KERN site St. Barbara Hospital in Gladbeck. Here, the autonomously operating, mobile URG service robot uLab Mobile relieves laboratory staff of routine tasks during day and night shifts, ensuring process stability. Building on this experience, both partners have now created a strategic framework for cooperation. This pursues a holistic platform approach for robotics systems, hospital IT, processes, and data flows, encompassing areas such as laboratory automation and sample logistics, intralogistics, material and medication transport, nursing support processes, operating room and clinical service processes, and service and information robotics. Transparency, technological sovereignty, and compliance with German and European data protection and ethical standards are central to this collaboration.
The cooperation deliberately goes beyond a traditional supplier relationship. "We want to embed technological innovation not just sporadically, but in a structured and long-term way into everyday clinical practice," says Bernd Siegmund, member of the management board of KERN GmbH. "Our aim is to make processes more predictable, stable, and efficient through automation."
A joint operational board identifies new use cases and develops economic viability and scalability concepts. A steering committee assesses strategic relevance, regulatory feasibility, and sustainable implementation. Together, both partners aim to conduct robust evaluations and economic analyses to clearly demonstrate the added value of robotic solutions.
“Robotics must not be an end in itself, but must improve processes – while simultaneously creating space for human care, precision, and responsibility,” says Wassim Saeidi, CEO of United Robotics Group. Kerstin Wagner, Co-CEO of United Robotics Group, adds: “Especially in healthcare, it’s about relieving professionals of repetitive and physically demanding tasks so they can concentrate on more value-adding activities.”
Against the backdrop of demographic change, the increasing shortage of skilled workers, and rising demands for quality, efficiency, and resilience in hospitals, URG and KERN, through their partnership, pursue the shared goal that technology should not replace staff, but rather specifically relieve their workload. Both partners share the conviction that technological innovation is only sustainable if it serves humanity.
About United Robotics Group
United Robotics Group is a leading provider of AI-powered robotics solutions for the healthcare and service sectors. Founded in 2021 as United Robotics Health & Food GmbH, the company traces its roots back to WS System GmbH, established in 2014 by Wassim Saeidi. In 2025, the company acquired the patent, trademark, and content rights for all product lines. Its portfolio includes the uLab Mobile laboratory robot, the uClean cleaning robot, the uLog autonomous mobile transport robot, and the uServe serving robot. United Robotics Group is also developing uMe, a humanoid robot, which was first presented at CES 2026 in Las Vegas in early 2026. The company is led by Wassim Saeidi (Founder & CEO) and Kerstin Wagner (Co-CEO & COO). Together, they aim to address the skilled labor shortage in the healthcare sector and establish United Robotics Group as a leading partner for robotics in the service and healthcare industries.
Further information at: https://unitedrobotics.group/de-de
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