Move over C-3PO and R2-D2. Rosie, the\nJettsons need dinner. Head for the bridge, Data. There are a few new robots in\ntown, and they\u2019re revolutionizing healthcare. We\u2019re not talking about an\noperating room presence, an endoscopy-bot, or a robotic\nexoskeleton (although all are amazing and worth a Google!) <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re talking about robots that can\nhave an almost warm quality about them \u2013 despite their literally chilly man-made\nexteriors. As a demographic, they\u2019re redefining healthcare bots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are four intriguing AI-based\nmedical robots: a personal healthcare companion robot, a robotic nurse\u2019s\naide, a pediatric clinical training robot, and a minimalist robot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome Home, Mabu <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Catalia Health\u2019s Mabu is an AI-powered robot, roughly the size of a countertop kitchen appliance, that engages with patients at home \u2013 helping them comply with their physician\u2019s care plans. The robot interacts with patients via natural language processing and behavioral psychology, which adapts to patients\u2019 medical needs. Mabu, with its big, bright eyes, almost reminiscent of a Keane painting, collects and stores patient data in acloud-based platform. The robot can send notifications via mobile devices to healthcare providers, provide daily reminders to patients, and examine patients\u2019 daily emotions<\/a>.1<\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n This Bot\u2019s Got\nMoxi<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moxi<\/a>, meant to reside in the hospital, is a robot assistant created to help clinical staff with non-patient-facing tasks \u2013 like gathering supplies and bringing them to patient rooms, delivering lab samples, fetching items from central supply, and removing soiled linen bags. Automation helps hospitals maintain consistent care workflows and most important of all, is expected to increase employee satisfaction and enhance patient care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to it\u2019s creator, Diligent Robotics, Moxi is being trialed in\nseveral US hospitals and so far has not only been a boon to clinical staff but\nhas also reportedly helped cut hospital costs and improve efficiencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n HAL 302 Passes\nthe Grade<\/p>\n\n\n\n This next robot, created by Gaumard Scientific, is designed to teach trainee pediatricians<\/a>. Its humanoid, child-like qualities may seem almost unnerving to the average observer, although pediatric students find HAL 302 a solid study partner. The robot uses an advanced AI simulator and robotic technology to mimic how a toddler\u2019s body would act under different healthcare situations. For example, HAL 302 can ask for help, bleeds with remarkable realism, cries out in pain, moves its eyes, and performs many more human-like characteristics. This allows students to use HAL 302 to practice taking vitals, conduct resuscitation, and react in a near-real life, real time situation. The goal here, according to Gaumard Scientific, is to provide medical students with a \u201cbetter alternative\u201d to cadavers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Give This Advancement a Hand\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab teamed up with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop the first mind-controlled robotic prosthetic.4<\/sup> One <\/a>of the first prosthetics to be tested is an arm. Unlike other advanced prosthetics, this one is directly controlled by the wearer\u2019s neural activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Okay, the prosthetic arm may\nnot be as \u201ccute\u201d as a robot with moving eyes and welcoming smile. Shoot, it\ndoesn\u2019t even have an adorable name. But this robotic prosthetic arm can\ncertainly give and receive a hug \u2013 due to its near-lifelike capabilities. The project is part of a\nlarger ambition to develop brain-controlled devices with an eye to restoring\nmotor function to patients. The focus as of today is primarily on artificial\nlimbs for upper-arm amputees. With progress steadily moving forward, the\nproject may just have a leg up on futuristic robotic prosthetic body parts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no telling how far robotics will impact the healthcare industry \u2013 since so much is still being investigated, tested, and explored. That said, many experts predict that robots are destined to revolutionize how we care for patients. And with robotic technology evolving so quickly, we may see a significant impact sooner than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Resources <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) How It Works. (n.d.).<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) Diligent Robotics. (n.d.). <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n