Spot Robot | 02 Sep 2020

Why in News

Recently, researchers from Boston Dynamics, of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT - USA) have developed a robot, called ‘Spot’.

• They have planned to use it for patients with Covid-19 symptoms.

Key Points

• Features:
  
  • The robot is controlled by a handheld device.
  • It can walk on four legs, similarly to a dog, climbs stairs and can traverse rough terrain with ease and small enough to be used indoors.
  • It can measure skin temperature, breathing rate, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation in healthy patients, from 2 metres away.
    
    • It has four cameras — one infrared, three monochrome.
• Working:
  
  • Body Temperature: The infrared camera measures skin temperature on the face.
    
    • An algorithm then correlates the facial skin temperature with core body temperature.
  • Breathing Rate: When a patient wearing a mask breathes, their breath changes the temperature of the mask.
    
    • The infrared camera measures this temperature change, enabling researchers to calculate the breathing rate.
  • Pulse Rate & Oxygen Level: When haemoglobin binds to oxygen and flows through blood vessels, it results in slight changes in colour.
    
    • These changes are measured with the help of the three monochrome cameras, which filter lights of three different wavelengths.
    • Using these measurements, the algorithm calculates pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation.
• Benefit:
  
  • The robot can be deployed in areas where suspected cases of Covid-19 assemble. Healthcare workers can avoid exposing themselves to risk, by manoeuvring the robot to wherever patients are sitting.
  • The robot can also carry a tablet that allows doctors to ask patients about their symptoms without being in the same room.

Source: IE