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Surabaya researchers, doctors developing robots to help treat patients
A research team from the November 10 Institute of Technology (ITS) and Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) in Surabaya, East Java, is developing service robots to help medical personnel handle coronavirus patients.
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A doctor of Bogor City Hospital examines a patient suspected of suffering from COVID-19 during a simulation in the isolation room of Bogor City Hospital, West Java, on March 4. (Antara/Arif Firmansyah)
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research team from the November 10 Institute of Technology (ITS) and Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) in Surabaya, East Java, is developing service robots to help medical personnel in handling coronavirus patients.
The robots will be utilized to serve high-risk patients.
Agus Muhamad Hatta of ITS told tempo.co: “A service robot will bring [objects] to patients and is remotely controlled by an experienced medic, while another has more autonomy as it will serve patients automatically.”
The first COVID-19 cases in Indonesia were announced on March 2, and the number of patients has been increasing with every passing day. Medical personnel have been at risk of falling victim to the viral disease. A number of doctors in the country have died after caring for patients, making the invention of such medical service an important factor in the battle against the pandemic.
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“We hope [the robots] can help medics treat patients with minimal contact,” he said.
Scientists on the team include Muhtadin, Ahmad Zaini and Rudi Dikairono from the Department of Computer Sciences of ITS as well as forensics specialist Nily Sulistyorini, mental health specialist Izzatul Fitriyah and cardiovascular thorax surgeon Niko Azari of RSAU.
Agus said the robots were developed by combining several censors installed onto them and in the room where the patient is treated.
The scientists began work on the robots since the government declared an emergency status and they aim for the robots to help medics within a month. (gis/wng)
