A group of students invented a smart nurse robot.

The idea for developing a smart nurse robot originated from real-world observations by the AIoT BKR team, consisting of five students from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, who wished to contribute to the development of the medical field. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Dr. Le Thanh Long, a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Faculty, this idea won first prize in the university's science competition .

According to Associate Professor Dr. Le Thanh Long, the shortage of human resources in hospitals and medical facilities is a worrying issue, especially as the demand for healthcare continues to increase. The development of a device to simplify health monitoring processes, transport medical supplies, and assist doctors in examinations and treatments is extremely urgent.

"According to a 2022 study by the Ministry of Health , large hospitals are facing overcrowding, with up to 20% of nurses working beyond their capacity. This shortage not only affects the quality of patient care but also leads to medication dispensing errors in hospitals stemming from manual procedures," said research team leader Tran Vu Gia Huy.

Based on that reality, the team developed the Florence nurse robot concept, aiming to improve the quality of patient care in Vietnamese hospitals. Florence is equipped with advanced features such as automatic navigation, voice communication, and data measurement and analysis.

Using artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, this robot is capable of identifying and collecting patient data and assisting doctors in diagnosis and treatment.

One of the limitations of current robotic nurses is cost and technological and functional compatibility. Therefore, the research team sought to reduce the product's cost to only one-fifth that of imported robots.

Florence nurse robot product

At the same time, the robot can master the technology and operate and maintain it conveniently because it is designed and manufactured in Vietnam. The design team also took into account the characteristics of Vietnamese patients, such as voice communication, 24/7 care, and understanding Vietnamese culture and customs.

One of the biggest challenges the team faced was convincing healthcare facilities and patients to trust in the effectiveness and safety of robots in healthcare.

Furthermore, integrating robots into the hospital's existing workflows also requires changes in procedures and staff training. Some key improvements the team is continuing to work on include: Optimizing the product design for easier movement in cramped hospital spaces; replacing components with industrial modules; and integrating chips capable of faster data storage and processing.

Algorithms for user recognition, facial scanning, and robot navigation also need to be optimized, especially when operating in real-world environments with a large number of patients.

The product improvement process can last up to a year, involving real-world testing and evaluation by doctors, nurses, and medical technology experts. Simultaneously, feedback from medical teams will help to further refine the product.

Associate Professor Dr. Le Thanh Long stated that, to ensure safety, the team will conduct rigorous tests on the robot's ability to move and avoid obstacles in the near future. Simultaneously, they will evaluate the robot's ability to interact with users of different ages and genders.

"We believe that, with thorough preparation, robotic nurses will meet all the stringent requirements of the hospital environment and bring benefits to both patients and healthcare facilities," Associate Professor Dr. Le Thanh Long affirmed.

With their Florence nurse robot product, the AIoT BKR team won first prize in the "Bach Khoa Innovation 2024" competition at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. Looking ahead, the team hopes to participate in student scientific research awards and other science and technology competitions.

Source: https://phunuvietnam.vn/nhom-sinh-vien-dai-hoc-bach-khoa-tphcm-sang-che-robot-y-ta-thong-minh-20241105133903737.htm