| Robotic nurses hold the promise of becoming more of | | | | doctor, or even take their meals on time |
| a reality now than science fiction. Imagine having a | | | | - Reducing need for contact with doctors by |
| robot around the house to do all your chores, | | | | connecting them with professional caregivers via the |
| administer medicine, and do all your checkups without | | | | internet |
| you having to step out of your house at all. This is | | | | - Provide much needed social interaction |
| what robotic nurses or nurse bots are programmed to | | | | Technology involved |
| do, and the rate at which research is underway on this | | | | Research is underway in many places all over the |
| project, robotic nurses may soon become a common | | | | world to make advances in robotics technology. Many |
| household feature for all those who can afford it. | | | | of these projects are at the testing stage to maximize |
| Role of robotic nurses | | | | and optimize the functions performed by robotic |
| Though the name suggests otherwise, robotic nurses | | | | nurses. These robots are equipped with a PC and |
| are not meant to be a substitute for professional | | | | Wi-Fi system that help it to connect and communicate |
| nurses, but are simply meant to add to the number of | | | | with others, camera and stereo systems, speech |
| caregivers available. This technology is developed | | | | recognition software, and sensors to help it move |
| keeping in mind the care required by elderly people and | | | | around the house. |
| those suffering from mobility issues on a daily basis. | | | | Future of robotic nurses |
| With the improvement in healthcare and medical | | | | Scientists predict a surge of robotic nurses by the |
| services, the average life span of individuals is | | | | year 2010. A few robots were already introduced to |
| increasing, and this demographic shift calls for an | | | | be tested to see how they are better in helping |
| improvement and expansion of the present care giving | | | | patients with mobility issues. |
| force struggling to meet the demands of society. | | | | For example, the robot El-E, developed by the Center |
| There has to be a solution that suits all- proper care | | | | for Healthcare Robotics in the Health Systems Institute |
| provided to those who need it without the extra | | | | at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory |
| burden on healthcare. With the rising cost of | | | | University, is designed to aid people with everyday |
| healthcare, the thought of having robotic nurses in | | | | tasks such as fetching small objects around the house. |
| homes and hospitals is both an exciting and a | | | | Pearl Nursebot developed in collaboration by four |
| comforting proposition. | | | | schools in the United States- University of Michigan, |
| The expected duties that robotic nurses are being | | | | Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Stanford is undergoing |
| trained to perform include: | | | | field testing at the Longwood Retirement Community in |
| - Live in the homes of elderly people and help with | | | | Oakmont, Pa. RIBA, developed by researchers at |
| chores like opening the refrigerator or other appliances, | | | | Japan's Institute of Physical and Chemical Research it |
| and fetching small objects for them | | | | is designed to help nurses lift and carry patients |
| - Reminding patients to take their medicines, visit the | | | | weighing up to 61 Kgs. |