Within the next two to three decades, the futuristic model of healthcare will include a fascinating and advancing robotic technology and nanotechnology.
Robotic Nurse
Since 2006, Japan’s roboticist, Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro at the Osaka University invented a series of humanoid robots, including the realistic-looking Actroid-F Robotic Nurse.
This nurse robot was unveiled in 2010 looking uncannily like a typical Japanese young lady in nurses’ uniform, with moving eyes, speech and cultural mannerisms, mimicking facial expressions in response to cues given by the computer programmer. For the elderly who want to be independent or hospital immobile patients, this robot is a helpful companion.
There is also “Sim Man” robot which is used for doctors and nurses training in Scripps La Jolla Hospital, San Diego, California.
Nanorobotic Phagocytes
The “tiny” field of nanotechnology was invented by K. Eric Drexler, Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Such molecular nanotechnology included software in structural technologies of DNA and to solve, not delay, the problems in global warming. The MIT invested $350 million in a research center called MIT. nano, which is expected to be finished in 2018. The scientists will measure things in nanometers, which is a billionth of a meter. MIT professors state that the nanometer is 100,000 times smaller than a strand of hair.
New nanobot terms emerged like microbivores, artificial white blood cells. These microbivores are useful in the treatments of infections and are given intravenously. Preliminary studies suggest that the microbivores would be 80 times more efficient and about 1000 times faster than natural white blood cells.
Respirocytes are a design for artificial red blood cells. Clottocytes are a design for artificial platelets, making them 100 – 1000 times faster than natural platelets.
Robots in Industry and Healthcare
Robots were used in surgical settings for several decades. The technical challenges such as patient-lifting and moving means there is more incentive to design. As baby boomers grow older, many people might end up being cared for by robots.
According to the Health and Human Services Department, there will be 72.1 million Americans over the age of 65 by the year 2030. Filling the job gap for in-home aides is proving difficult. A roboticist, Jim Osborn, at Carnegie Mellon University anticipates that robots will fill in the gaps for the in-home aides.
– Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed “Cody” (in 2010), a robotic nurse that is gentle enough to bathe elderly patients.
– “HERB” is short for Home Exploring Robot Butler. Made by researchers at Carnegie Mellon, it is designed to fetch household objects like cups and can even clean a kitchen. Hey, we want this guy!
– “Hector”, a robot that is being developed by the University of Reading in England, can remind patients to take their medicine, remember their eyeglasses and assist in the event of a fall. The Hector robot as a service companionable robot was introduced to the EU President in 2012. The European Research in Ambient Assisted Living is moving towards the integration of service robots into Smart Home environments for older and impaired persons wishing to live independently.
– “Paro”,a therapeutic robot – the Personal Robot, from Japan. It is white and looks appealingly like a fluffy seal. Over 1000 of these were sold to nursing homes, hospitals and individual consumers.
– “Autom” is a speaking robot, which acts as a coach for dieters to meet their goals. There is also a robot to track drug addicts from giving in to temptation.
In every field and every year, there is Artificial Intelligence (AI) with exciting computer circuitry and a relatable personable face, voice and unique personality being invented and marketed at warp speed.