Obesity has grown into one of the worlds most significant health problems. The field of bariatrics and the quantity of bariatric surgical procedures is projected to continue to increase rapidly each year. This trend presents a challenge to healthcare providers and facilities striving to provide dignified care that is effective and safe both for the patient and the provider. There is a great demand for new approaches to bariatric patient care. The present invention is a robotic patient lifting system, targeted for, but not limited to, bariatric patient care. Without the need for difficult, time consuming slings and hoists associated with currently available systems, the invented lifting and transferring system utilizes rapidly deployable, articulated robotic arms with gentle conveyor belts. A unique linkage system allows powerful, safe, and flexible lifting and positioning of the patient with a minimal number of actuators. The lifting mechanism is mounted on a low profile, stable and flexible footprint, omnidirectional robotic mobile base. A simple, intuitive user interface allows control by a single caregiver with minimal training
