Vietnam successfully built robots to support medical workers

Robots researched and manufactured by the Military Technical Academy, Ministry of Defense can transport food, medicine, waste . in the isolated area of ​​nCoV patients.

On the morning of April 7, in the corridor of Bac Thang Long Hospital , Hanoi (where is planned to isolate and treat Covid-19 patients when an outbreak broke out) a robot dispensed medicine for patients, instead of medicine. dozen, doctors.   

The robot, called Vibot version 1a, automatically moves from the collection location to the receiving point and stops at the door of the room, invites the patient to receive drugs and thanks, wishes the user's health when moving to a new location. During the move, the robot automatically plays songs to encourage people in the room Covid-19.   

Initially the robot was designed to automatically transport food, medicine, necessities . from outside to the patient rooms; transport household waste, medical waste, laundry . from the patient room to the gathering area and support remote communication between medical staff and patients.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Colonel Tang Quoc Nam, Head of the project (on the left) introduced robots to the doctors of North Thang Long Hospital. (Photo: BN)

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Colonel Tang Quoc Nam, Military Technical Academy, Chairman of the topic said that after the Ministry of Science and Technology assigned the task, within 2 weeks, the research team designed and successfully built the robot. Robots are designed on one platform but perform many different functions such as automatically transporting food, medicine, necessities . from outside to the patient rooms; transport domestic waste, medical waste, laundry . from the patient room to the gathering area and support remote communication between medical staff and patients, the load up to 100kg.

All activities of the robot system are controlled and supervised by the Operation Center, facilitating the expansion of the robot's operating range or adding the number of robots to the system when necessary. In addition to the transport function, with a set-up line, from the Center of Doctors, relatives can visit patients, consult and encourage people from afar with images and clear sound.

Dr. Do Quang Thuan, Director of Bac Thang Long Hospital, highly appreciated the features of the robot when performing the task that can replace 3-5 medical staff. According to Mr. Thuan, putting robots into use, in addition to reducing the risk of infection, also creates conditions for health workers to focus their time, effort, service, care and treatment for critically ill patients.

The Vibot-1a version uses magnetic stripe navigation and an identification card positioning technology that allows the robot to move itself in the quarantine area to perform tasks. Robots are capable of detecting and avoiding obstacle collisions thanks to sensors installed at the front and rear. With a large capacity battery pack and automatic charging station, Vibot-1a can work continuously for 12 hours and automatically returns to the station to charge when running out of power. Currently, Vibot-1a is running a trial in the real environment at Bac Thang Long Hospital, Hanoi. 

Major General Nguyen Lac Hong, deputy director of the Military Technical Academy, said that after completing the Vibot-1a version, the robot research team continued to upgrade and improve the features so that the robot could operate completely. Automatic and smarter, aiming to make Vibot with modern features such as TUG robot of Aethon, USA. 

On April 7, a team of experts set up by the Minister of Science and Technology held a meeting to evaluate the results of phase 1 of research, manufacture and manufacture of Vibot-1a robot and unanimously proposed to the Ministry of Health for consideration. Permissible to use in isolation facilities.

Mr. Hong said that the Academy has collaborated with competent and experienced units inside and outside the army to complete the process. In particular, the units have planned to prepare fully conditions for the production of robots in large numbers, promptly responding to hospitals and isolation areas when required.