Nursing Robots: Super Assistants in Healthcare

The world is aging

According to data from the World Health Organization, by 2050, the proportion of the global population aged 60 and above will double from 12% to 22%, with a significantly accelerated aging rate. This poses significant challenges regarding the health and quality of life for the elderly in many countries, necessitating preparedness in health and social systems. As a result, some countries have developed technologies such as interactive robots integrated with Artificial Intelligence (AI). These technologies are particularly needed in hospital environments due to the frequent shortages of healthcare personnel caused by medical demand.

Nursing robots are specifically designed to address the increasing care needs of the aging population. They are equipped with Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and can provide nursing interventions and handle mundane tasks in hospital settings. Nursing robots can serve as a supplement to healthcare personnel in hospitals, nursing homes, and homes, performing logistical tasks, accompanying the elderly, measuring vital signs, and more. Let’s explore this with specific examples!

“Xiao Bai”: Intelligent Nursing Robot

“Hey, Xiao Bai! Please move a little closer, I want to see the patient’s skin color.” Dr. Zhang Jian, a super doctor from Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, muttered as he gently pressed the remote control nearby. The camera on the screen acted like a pair of obedient eyes, slowly approaching the little patient. Through this screen, Dr. Zhang could clearly see the young patient thousands of kilometers away in Shigatse, Tibet, observing his skin color and condition, and even chatting with him “face to face”!

Don’t be fooled by Dr. Zhang calling it “Xiao Bai”, its official name is “AirFace Intelligent Mobile Remote Medical Robot”. This robot is impressive; it not only has facial recognition, natural voice interaction, and remote collaboration capabilities, but can also act as a “proxy for experts”, assisting in remote rounds, remote consultations, and remote auscultation. It can even act as a “runner for nurses”, automatically checking rooms, providing education, measuring temperature, and delivering or retrieving medications. Deploying it in hospital isolation wards can not only reduce the infection risk for healthcare personnel but also improve medical efficiency and save considerable medical resources.

So, Dr. Zhang just needs to say to the remote control, “Xiao Bai, please move forward so I can see the patient’s skin color.” This cool robot obediently moves forward, building a bridge for ultra-remote medical care between the doctor and the patient!

Shanghai Yishuo Network Technology Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in the research, development, production, and sales of medical artificial intelligence and intelligent nursing robots. Their independently developed intelligent nursing robot “Xiao Bai” serves numerous top-tier hospitals across more than ten provinces in the country with its advanced technology, ease of operation, and convenient management. This robot has been reported by various media outlets including CCTV, Health Times, Shanghai Television, and Xinmin Evening News.

“Xiao Bai” not only accompanies patients but also assists healthcare personnel with repetitive tasks such as rounds, delivering medications, and checking temperatures. It acts like a lovely little assistant in the hospital, always smiling and making you feel warm and secure.

Intelligent Nursing Robot “Xiao Bai”

At the second stop, I want to introduce you to a special robot from Sweden—Giraff! This star robot in the small town is not only a wise companion for the elderly but also a representative of technological innovation.

First, let’s look at the appearance of the Giraff robot. It looks like a mobile communication device, equipped with wheels, a camera, and a display screen. But the coolest part is its “neck”, which can stretch and retract, just like a giraffe! This robot primarily functions in the hospital and home care sectors.

Imagine when an elderly person is lying in bed, a giraffe-like robot appears before them and asks, “How are you feeling today?” Isn’t that interesting? This is the job of the Giraff robot; it can remotely accompany those elderly individuals who need help and care, making them feel less lonely. Through Giraff, the elderly can engage in real-time video communication with friends and family, sharing snippets of their lives as if they were chatting face to face! Just think about how important and interesting this is for elderly individuals who cannot easily leave their homes!

Moreover, the Giraff robot has an amazing function—video calls. Just like we do with WeChat, elderly individuals can stay connected with the outside world through this robot. Whether it’s with distant children or friends, they can engage in two-way video calls via the Giraff robot, sharing their lives and feeling loved and warm at any time. This is truly exciting and surprising!

The Giraff robot is not only a wise companion for the elderly but also a representative of technological innovation. Through its remote companionship and video call features, it brings more joy and warmth to those elderly individuals who need care and companionship. Let’s give a thumbs up for this lovely giraffe robot!

Sweden’s Giraff Robot

Today, we are going to share some information about nursing robots from Japan. In this field, the research achievements of NEC Corporation and Toshiharu Mukai are noteworthy.

First, let’s look at the life assistance robot developed by NEC Corporation. This robot can interact and communicate with the elderly, performing not only verbal communication but also executing a series of tasks, such as helping the elderly sit down or stand up. This type of robot is widely used in nursing scenarios in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, homes, and communities in countries like Japan, effectively completing various nursing service tasks.

Another noteworthy project is the Robear robot developed by Toshiharu Mukai’s research team. This robot has a gentle bear-like appearance but is very strong, capable of lifting an elderly person. Its slogan is “Strong Robot, Soft Touch”. The Robear robot can assist the elderly in sitting down and standing up, which is often a challenging task. It mimics the feeling of a human embrace, providing support to the elderly and making it easier for them to stand or sit.

The development of these nursing robots aims to alleviate the burden on caregivers and improve the quality of life for the elderly. With the continuous advancement of technology, these robots will continue to play an important role in the future, providing strong and gentle services to the elderly.

The emergence of nursing robots is a product of technological advancement. They apply technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine vision, and machine learning to bring more care and support to the elderly. These robots can not only perform tasks in daily life but also interact and communicate with elderly individuals, providing them with emotional comfort. Their arrival not only alleviates the burden on caregivers but also offers a new nursing model, creating a more comfortable and safe living environment for the elderly.

When it comes to nursing robots in Japan, the work of NEC Corporation and Toshiharu Mukai’s research team is undoubtedly remarkable. They showcase technological innovation and humane care in the field of nursing robots. In the future, we can look forward to the further development and application of these robots, providing more comprehensive and high-quality nursing services for the elderly.

Japan’s Robear Robot