Researchers at one of China’s top universities have designed a robot that can carry out tasks usually performed by doctors that can help save lives during the coronavirus outbreak.
The robot carries robotic arms on wheels that can perform ultrasounds, take mouth swabs and listen to sounds made by a patient’s organs, usually done with a stethoscope.
The robot is also fitted with cameras so medical personnel can operate it remotely.
“Doctors are all very brave,” said Tsinghua University Professor Zheng Gangtie, the robot’s chief designer. “But this virus is just too contagious … We can use robots to perform the most dangerous tasks.”
Zheng wanted to do something to contribute to the relief effort during the outbreak. According to his friend, Dong Jiahong, executive president at Beijing’s Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, the biggest problem was that of frontline workers getting infected.
Gathering a team, Zheng set to work converting two mechanized robotic arms with the same technology used on space stations and lunar explorers. The robots were almost entirely automated, and could even disinfect themselves after performing actions involving contact, Zheng said.
“But the feedback from doctors was that it would be better for there to be less automation, as personal presence would comfort and calm the patient,” he said.
The team’s robots have been trialed by doctors at hospitals in Beijing.
If all goes to plan, the robot may be put to use on coronavirus patients in Wuhan from Sunday, Zheng said. It would be joined on its wards rounds by a nurse or other member of staff.
China has sent tens of thousands of medical workers to the epicenter of the outbreak, Hubei province, state media say. More than 3,000 medical workers had been infected by late last month, including whistleblower Li Wenliang, whose death in early February sparked a brief and rare outpouring of grief and rage on Chinese social media.
*Source: Reuters