Help medical staff dealing with coronavirus patients, ITS and Airlangga University develop robot

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 05:39 am

For almost a month since the first case was first confirmed on March 2, the number of sufferers of coronavirus or COVID-19 continues to increase. Also, the number of medical workers become victims get increase, where they tested positive for coronavirus or covide-19 and even died, due to minimal of personal protective equipment. Medical personnel are included in the group of people at risk (ODR). Therefore, not only human, in the near future there will be a robot that will help medical staff in dealing with coronavirus patients.

The research team from the Ten November Institute of Technology (ITS) and Airlangga University Hospital (RSUA) developed a robot service system that will be used to assist medical staff. The robot can be used to serve patients with a high risk of transmission.

According to Director of Research and Community Service ITS Agus Muhamad Hatta, the robot service system was made using two approaches. “One robot is delivering logistics to patients by remote control by experienced medical personnel. Second, a more autonomous approach, a robot that serves patients automatically, “he said, Monday night, March 30, 2020.

The development of this robot to involve several researchers. They are

from the ITS computer engineering department Muhtadin, Ahmad Zaini and Rudi Dikairono. Then from RSAU, forensic specialist Nily Sulistyorini, specialist psychiatrist Izzatul Fitriyah, and cardiovascular thoracic surgeon Niko Azari.

Agus said, the approach was carried out by combining various sensors placed on the robot and the room where the patient is located.

So, by doing these aproaches, Agus expected that medical personnel to continue serving patients by minimizing contact with patients that can reduce the risk of contracting the disease.

As for the robot loading process has been carried out since the government began implementing the COVID-19 standby. But, according to Agus, the ITS team had previously developed various types of robots, so that the modification of the robot made could function as a servant robot.

“The target in the next few weeks or a month is expected to operate,” Agus said.

Earlier, the robot was briefly mentioned by the Minister of Research and Technology / Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Bambang Brodjonegoro through a video conference held on Thursday, March 26, 2020. He mentioned it when announcing the COVID-19 Handling Research and Innovation Consortium, where the robot is also one of the consortium programs.