Unlocking Healthcare Efficiency with Physical Intelligence Solutions with Nicholas Kirsch

In this episode of Machine Minds, we look at how physical intelligence—the fusion of robotics, automation, and software—can reshape one of society’s most strained systems: healthcare. Director of Software Engineering Nicholas Kirsch joins Greg to break down why hospital pharmacies are essentially “mini warehouses,” how automation is already quietly at work behind the scenes, and what it will take to reach the vision of a fully autonomous pharmacy.

Nicholas brings a rare dual perspective: a mechanical engineer turned software leader who spent years in Pittsburgh’s startup ecosystem building mobile manipulation systems, AMRs, and government-funded robotics programs before shifting into healthcare tech. His experience—from garage-stage startups to acquisitions and rebrands—gives him a clear lens on what it takes to scale robots from impressive demos to mission-critical reliability. At Omnicell, he now helps drive software for medication-picking systems, IV-compounding robots, and the next wave of automation designed to return pharmacists and clinicians to the work they trained for: caring for patients.

In this conversation, Greg and Nicholas explore:

• Why hospital pharmacies operate like 24/7 logistics centers—and why automation is overdue
• The long, largely unseen history of medication-picking robots (30 years and counting)
• What the autonomous pharmacy roadmap looks like, and why most hospitals are still at level 1 or 2
• The hard truth about robotics in healthcare: reliability isn’t a target, it’s a requirement
• How systems like Omnicell’s IV compounding and XR2 picking platforms reduce waste, increase traceability, and free clinicians from manual labor
• Lessons from Nicholas’s journey through multiple robotics companies, acquisitions, and pivots—and how software talent evolves within physical systems
• What he looks for when hiring software engineers in mission-critical environments, including curiosity, culture fit, and growth mindset over rigid credentials
• The promise (and limits) of AI in physical automation, and why general physical intelligence will unlock far more than humanoids

For anyone building automation in regulated environments—or simply trying to understand how robotics can meaningfully improve patient care—this episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the future of healthcare efficiency.

Connect with Nicholas on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholaskirsch

Connect with Greg on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian