A task that typically requires a healthcare professional is also becoming automated; the FDA has authorized "Aletta"—a robotic system from the company Vitestro—in the United States, capable of performing blood draws almost entirely autonomously.

In clinical trials, once the system identified a suitable vein, it successfully performed the puncture on the first attempt in 94.5% of cases. The process begins with the machine itself locating the best vein; to do this, Aletta combines near-infrared imaging with ultrasound, allowing it to visualize blood vessels beneath the skin and determine the exact insertion point for the needle.

The robot then positions the arm, applies the tourniquet, disinfects and prepares the puncture site, and automatically inserts the needle. It does not stop there, however; the system can also swap out collection tubes, remove and discard the needle, and apply a dressing at the end of the procedure, effectively consolidating much of a conventional blood draw into a single machine.

This does not necessarily mean completely eliminating the human professional; one proposal is to allow a single professional to oversee up to three systems simultaneously, intervening only when necessary. Technology can also assist with one of the most difficult aspects of venipuncture: locating a suitable vein. Anyone who has endured multiple needle sticks before a vein was found knows exactly what a difference this can make, but perhaps the most interesting aspect is seeing the direction in which medical automation is heading.

Robots have been involved in surgeries for years, but they are now beginning to take on far more common, repetitive procedures performed thousands of times daily. In this instance, the shift could begin with a task that many people would gladly entrust to a machine—provided it actually hits the vein on the first attempt.