ROBOTICS
ROBOTS :
SUPPORTING
THE FRONTLINE
Robots have played multiple parts in the fight against COVID-19 . Are they here to stay ?
WRITTEN BY : LEILA HAWKINS
Considering the many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created – the need for social distancing , staff shortages , exceptional levels of hygiene – robots seem to provide an ideal solution .
The idea of using robots in healthcare isn ' t new - Japan has long been a pioneer in this field , particularly in care homes and hospitals , as the country ’ s aging population and shrinking workforce leads to increased demand .
In 2013 Panasonic launched HOSPI , an autonomous robot designed to support hospital staff . Complete with a rotating head ( and smiling face ), its sensors detect people ’ s presence while it delivers bulky medicines and patient notes . Some models include a video conferencing function to enable remote calls .
With robots operating in seven hospitals in Japan and one in Singapore , towards the start of the pandemic Panasonic repurposed them - fitted with nozzles , the robots manoeuvre themselves from room to room to spray a disinfectant mist .
66 April 2021