KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Scientists here have created a barrel-shaped robot on wheels that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on Covid-19 patients, reducing health workers’ risk of infection.
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The “medibot” is a 1.5 metre tall (five foot) white robot which is equipped with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics.
The invention which was built by scientists at the International Islamic University Malaysia is also fitted with a device to check patients’ temperatures remotely.
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It is aimed at helping nurses and doctors working on the wards with social distancing, Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a member of the team behind the invention, told AFP.
He added that it cost about RM15,000 to develop, and said that the university plans to trial it soon in their own private hospital, which does not treat Covid-19 patients.
If that proves a success, the scientists hope it can be used in government hospitals where people with Covid-19 are sent. – AFP