Little by little, robots are infiltrating almost all aspects of our life, but even for a nation as obsessed with everything robotic such as Japan, a robot nurse does seem a little bit over the top.
A company called Kokoro Co. Ltd has created a new nurse robot named Actroid-F, which can perform human-like movements (although a little jerky) at this early stage in development.
Designed to provide patients with companionship during their hospital stays, the android works by means of mimicry; the operator makes facial expressions, which are then simultaneously imitated by Actroid-F.
Actroid-F is not alone in the world, although she is the first robot-nurse in Japan. Robots have also been used with considerable success in many American hospitals where they dispense medication, make deliveries and visit patients. These automated system ensure that the right medicine reaches the right patient and stores and dispenses single doses of drugs for entire hospitals.
More and more, hospitals all over the world are realizing that robots are efficient messengers who transport materials like food, x-rays, and linens throughout the hospital, saving wear and tear on the feet of over-worked nurses and aides.
Virtual visits from your physician are here as well. Doctors are examining patients, continents away with interactive robots and hi-tech visuals. These robots are fully mobile, with computer screens for heads and real-time video cameras for eyes and ears. Doctors operate them by using a joystick and wireless technology.
Would you be open to such medical care in Singapore? Wow, can you imagine delivering a bub with robots instead of your O&G!
