Title :
The Development of a Mobile Medical Robot Using ER1 Technology
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Innovation Manage. & Entrepreneurship, Alpen Adria Univ. of Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria
Abstract :
Modern-day robots do not necessarily look like humans, but they are programmed to handle tasks that are normally carried out by humans, especially in big factories that manufacture products like cars. Employers prefer these mechanical devices because of many reasons: they are faster and more accurate than human workers, they never ask for a pay hike, nor do they take endless coffee breaks. Robots are also capable of working in an environment that is dangerous for humans. They can be found in many places?sorting out bolts in factories, digging a mine shaft, collecting soil samples on the planet Mars, and photographing the ocean floor. Now robots are also being explored within the hospital environment?not as doctors but as couriers. Usually, large hospitals have attendants scurrying around to deliver medicines and bottles to different wards. Mobile robots are ideal for the job of hospital attendants. These robotic couriers could help hospitals in becoming more efficient in the long run.
Keywords :
hospitals; medical robotics; mobile robots; ER1 technology; hospital attendants; hospital environment; mechanical devices; mobile medical robot development; modern-day robots; robotic couriers; Cameras; Collision avoidance; Hospitals; Robot kinematics; Robot vision systems;
Journal_Title :
Potentials, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MPOT.2013.2247096