In the US, Loyola Medicine’s MacNeal Hospital has hired a new high-tech assistant. Moxxi the robot was hired to help nurses. It delivers medicines, lab samples, food and linens. According to the hospital’s website, the high-tech assistant not only takes on part of the duties of the medical staff, but also creates a special mood for patients.
The robot, created by Austin, Texas-based robotics company Diligent Robotics, has social intelligence that allows it to open elevators and doors on its own and avoid bumping into people or objects in hallways. He is also constantly learning: and the more the staff uses Moxxi, the more and better he adapts to a particular environment.
To use Moxy’s services, nurses put their barcode badges on a special screen, open one of its compartments and pick up what it delivers. They can use the touch screen to confirm an operation or give a task to the robot. At the same time, all of Moksi’s movements and activities can be monitored and controlled on a computer program in the control room.
As part of the study, when Moxxi was tested in Texas hospitals, most nurses reported that the robot gave them more time to interact with patients and also saved them energy.
In May, it was reported that Moxxi’s robotic software will soon be integrated with Cerner’s electronic health record system, after which the robots will be able to “anticipate” the needs of healthcare workers and patients and perform tasks without human commands. In particular, thanks to artificial intelligence technology, they will be able to determine when nurses need this or that medical equipment, and when the patient needs medicine and a glass of water to take it.