(VOVWORLD) - Bach Mai hospital No.2 in Phu Ly city, Ha Nam province, is using medical robots called Vibots to replace medical staff in COVID-19 quarantine areas. The Vibot is a product of the Defense Ministry’s Military Technical Academy.
 Representative of Military Technical Academy introduces the robot to doctors of Bac Thang Long Hospital. (photo:vkist.gov.vn) |
The Military Technical Academy began its Vibot research project in April, 2020. The Vibot-1 model includes a monitoring and control unit and a robot, which can replace or help a medical staff transport items within a restricted, highly- contagion-risk area such as a COVID-19 quarantine area. Vibot-1 has been piloted at Bac Thang Long hospital in Dong Anh district on the outskirts of Hanoi.
Do Quang Thuan, Director of Bac Thang Long hospital, said: “The robot has met our needs. It moves food, waste, and other items between patient rooms and common areas. It also interacts with the patients. This reduces direct contact between medical staff and patients, minimizing exposure.”
A 2nd phase model has more functions and can operate in a larger, more difficult area.
Major General Nguyen Lac Hong, Deputy Director of the Military Technical Academy, said Vibot-2 has more smart functions for operating in hospitals. They intend to expand Vibot’s applications, such as transporting goods in factories and providing customer service at airports and exhibitions.
“We have cooperative agreements with factories. When this robot version is ready for widespread use, we will mass produce the robots,” said Mr. Hong.