South Central Railway develops RAIL-BOT for patient care in hospitals

South Central Railway (SCR) Zone of Indian Railways has developed a robotic device equipped to effectively manage patient care in hospitals. The robotic device, christened ‘RAIL BOT’ (R-BOT) has been developed by Hem Singh Banoth, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Hyderabad Division, SCR and his team. It has undergone extensive trials and demonstrations before its use at the Central Railway Hospital, Secunderabad.

SCR officials said the R-BOT can be operated by using Android mobile app and radio frequency (RF) remote control. R-BOT is being used to provide medicines, medical accessories, and to serve food to the patients, taking away the need for human contact in such activities.

As a result, doctors, nurses and other support medical staff are better placed to stay away from the risks of contacting infections.

The R-BOT is operated through a unique mobile application, and supported by a Wi-Fi facility. Using sensor-based features, the robot can read the body temperature of patients, and transmit it for display on a mobile phone. It is also capable of raising an alarm in case of any abnormally high body temperature readings to alert medics attending to the patients.

The R-BOT is equipped with a real-time video camera. The robot also performs as a two-way audio and video communication with recording facility, helping in a smooth interaction between patients and doctors. It uses infra-red technology with an emergency night lamp; night vision to enable communication even in complete darkness. It can circumvent any foreign objects in its path with the help of inbuilt observation avoidance sensors.

Moving at a speed of 1 kmph and a load-carrying capacity of 80 kg, the R-Bot is capable of continuously functioning for six hours on a single charge of battery.

SCR officials said that plans are afoot to further innovate and develop the R-BOT, in terms of optimal functional efficiency, which can lead to more widespread use of the device at the medical facilities in the railway zone.

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