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'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

npr.org

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Re: 'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

#3

Post by hprotagonist »

This is your monthly reminder that Boston Dynamics is exceptionally good at product demos.

It remains much less clear that they’re any good at anything else.

Also, Spot looks like a Houndeye to me, so i keep waiting for it to make “wheeeennnnnnn BAM” noises.

Re: 'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

#4

Post by jansan »

I do not understand the purpose of this. Can't the patients simply make a video call with their smartphones?

I mean, if spot had a small barrel with brandy around his neck, just like the St. Bernhard dogs allegedly did, now that would be something...

Re: 'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

#5

Post by tomcooks »

jansan wrote: post #4

I do not understand the purpose of this. Can't the patients simply make a video call with their smartphones? I mean, if spot had a small barrel with brandy around his neck, just like the St. Bernhard dogs allegedly did, now that would be something...

From the github repo[0]: - Telepresence and telemedicine - Remote vital inspection - Disinfecting hospital rooms - Internal delivery

[0] https://github.com/boston-dynamics/bosdyn-hospital-bot

Re: 'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

#6

Post by jawns »

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how Spot eliminates the potential for virus transmission, especially if it's performing up-close checking of vitals on multiple patients.

Granted, Spot can't contract or respirate COVID-19, so it doesn't need a mask or a gown, but unless it's taking a rubbing alcohol bath between each patient visit, couldn't the virus still be transmitted via surface contact?

Re: 'Spot': A Robot That Could Help Doctors Remotely Treat Covid-19 Patients

#8

Post by prox »

jawns wrote: post #6

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see how Spot eliminates the potential for virus transmission, especially if it's performing up-close checking of vitals on multiple patients. Granted, Spot can't contract or respirate COVID-19, so it doesn't need a mask or a gown, but unless it's taking a rubbing alcohol bath between each patient visit, couldn't the virus still be transmitted via surface contact?

It doesn’t breathe and it’s easier to wipe clean, which pretty much makes it impossible to transmit Covid. Don’t know how it takes vitals, but they probably use clean instruments for each test one can assume.
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