Introduction of 'Medical Support Robots' for Fever Screening and Hospital Room Sterilization

Seoul Digital Foundation and Robot Industry Promotion Agency Provide Six 'COVID-19 Support Robots' on Free Lease to Seoul Medical Center

A fever-checking robot that monitors citizens' body temperature (Photo by Seoul Medical Center)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] 'Medical support robots' that automatically detect citizens' fever status, sterilize negative pressure isolation rooms, or transport medical waste have been introduced at hospitals dedicated to COVID-19.

On the 12th, the Seoul Digital Foundation announced that it signed a business agreement with the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement and Seoul Medical Center to provide a total of six robots?two sterilization robots, two fever detection robots, and two transport robots?on a free lease basis to Seoul Medical Center until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sterilization robots used in negative pressure isolation rooms are equipped with eco-friendly UV (ultraviolet) LED emission functions and air suction sterilization capabilities. Since they do not use chemical spraying methods, they can operate continuously, and their robotic arms can move to sterilize and disinfect virus blind spots that are hard to reach by hand.

The fever detection robots operate at the entrance and lobby of Seoul Medical Center targeting general visitors. Equipped with thermal imaging cameras, they automatically measure body temperature when citizens look at the screen. If abnormal signs are detected, the robot provides a voice guide instructing the person to undergo a fever check and displays the location of the nearest screening clinic on the screen. Additionally, a service that automatically sprays disinfectant without direct hand contact via sensors is also provided.

The transport robots are planned to be used for transporting clothing worn by medical staff and confirmed COVID-19 patients, as well as medical waste, to designated locations within Seoul Medical Center.

Ko Han-seok, director of the Seoul Digital Foundation, said, "In a situation where demand for medical services to citizens is surging due to the spread of COVID-19, the robots' non-face-to-face services will contribute to enhancing the safety of the medical system without additional infection concerns." He added, "We hope the introduction of robots will help strengthen the safety of medical staff and reduce their workload."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.