Faces of Cedars-Sinai Robot Service Tech Robert Anchondo Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Faces of Cedars-Sinai Robot Service Tech Robert Anchondo May 25, 2020 Agata Smieciuszewski Share Tweet Post At Cedars-Sinai, 28 robots, or automated guided vehicles, carry surgical supplies, linens, food and waste on special floors throughout the hospital. We chatted with Robert Anchondo, the service technician in charge of programming and maintaining the robots, to learn more about his unique job and his life outside of work. "My advice for people at home is to just stay focused, because it's so easy not to stay focused when you're at home—that's the hardest part." What does an average day look like for you Robert Anchondo: My main job function is to maintain the 28 robots at Cedars-Sinai. They're self-guided, with batteries, sensors and an interface. They work off of targets on the walls, and it's my job to ensure all parts are working together in order to keep things moving throughout the hospital. Read: The Secret Lives of Cedars-Sinai Robots How has COVID-19 affected your job RA: With less surgeries happening during COVID-19, we're dealing with much less surgical supplies moving around the hospital. I also have to make sure these vehicles are disinfected before I work on them—that's just a given. But now there's an extra awareness with equipment and working with crew. I work alone in the maintenance shop, but there's a crew that helps oversee the system from a different area of the hospital. We're all making sure that we're as safe as possible by wearing masks and taking the extra step of cleaning the interfaces on the robots. Do you have any tips for people who are working at home for the first time RA: My advice for people at home is to just stay focused, because it's so easy not to stay focused when you're at home—that's the hardest part. I also make sure to stick to my normal schedule. Read: 5 Tips for Healthy Working From Home Habits Outside of work do you have any hobbies that you really love doing RA: I do, but we're kind of closed in right now—everybody is. But usually I really like to go camping, especially in Northern California. I love going to El Capitan beach. I like to ride my bicycle and stay fit as much as possible. At home, I'm basically a robot nut, so I like to research a lot of new stuff about robots and learn about what's out there and what's new. I also like to cook and socialize, so it's hard not to be able to do that right now. Are you from L A RA: No, I'm from southern New Mexico. All my family is still there. I wanted to explore and wound up in the military. Then I went back to New Mexico for a while, and then to L.A. 13 years ago. I've always liked it here. What s your favorite part of living here RA: We're beach people—I love Venice Beach, Zuma Beach, Will Rogers Beach. I spend a lot of time exploring restaurants in Studio City, where I live. I love Mexican food. My favorites are Tito's Tacos on Washington and Cactus Taco in Studio City. What motivates you at work RA: If I can come in here, make a difference, keep things running and get a sense of accomplishment and then go home and enjoy life—that's a good setup, because not everybody always gets that lucky. Tags Faces of Cedars-Sinai Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics In Our Community Faces of Cedars-Sinai Patient Stories Los Angeles Behind the Scenes Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility