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.
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.
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.
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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
