CARE Healthcare Robot

CARE represents Roborn’s second-generation smart robot specifically designed for healthcare applications. Currently undergoing testing in collaboration with Hong Kong government hospitals, CARE enables physicians to operate remotely within ICU wards, performing complex mechanical tasks while reducing direct contact and travel time between patient rooms.

Product Overview

Building on the ME Series teleoperation platform, CARE is engineered for the demanding environment of intensive care units. The system addresses two primary challenges in critical care: the need for frequent physician presence at patient bedsides and the risk of pathogen transmission during direct contact.

CARE allows attending physicians to conduct patient assessments, adjust equipment, and perform certain mechanical tasks from a remote location. The robot provides real-time visual and audio communication, giving physicians an immersive presence in the patient room without physical entry. This capability is particularly valuable in isolation scenarios or when specialist consultation is required from off-site locations.

Key Features

CARE is a second-generation teleoperation robot by Roborn, designed for ICU settings where it lets physicians conduct patient assessments and perform mechanical tasks without entering the room.

• Remote Physician Operation: Doctors can control the robot from outside the ICU room, conducting patient assessments and adjustments without direct physical presence
• Complex Mechanical Task Execution: Articulated limbs capable of performing tasks that would otherwise require healthcare worker entry into patient spaces
• Real-time Communication: High-definition video and audio enable natural physician-patient interaction
• 5G Connectivity: Low-latency network connection ensures responsive control for time-sensitive clinical situations
• Hospital Environment Design: Built for the specific requirements of acute care settings including infection control considerations

Technical Specifications

CARE runs on a second-generation Roborn humanoid base with 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, HD two-way video, and full ward-navigation capability for remote physician use in intensive care settings.

Clinical Applications

ICU Ward Support: CARE performs mechanical tasks within intensive care units, reducing the frequency with which clinical staff must enter patient rooms. This decreases infection transmission risk and allows nurses to focus on higher-level care activities.

Remote Specialist Consultation: Physicians can use CARE to conduct more thorough remote assessments than standard video conferencing allows. The robot’s physical presence and manipulation capabilities enable examination activities not possible through a fixed screen.

Pandemic and Isolation Scenarios: In situations requiring strict isolation protocols, CARE maintains physician presence without direct contact. The robot’s development was influenced by lessons from COVID-19 regarding the need for remote patient interaction capabilities.

Workload Distribution: By enabling remote presence, CARE helps optimize physician time allocation. Rather than traveling between patient rooms, physicians can conduct routine checks via the robot while reserving physical visits for situations requiring hands-on intervention.

Development Status

CARE is currently in the testing phase with Hong Kong government hospitals. According to Cyberport, the robot is being evaluated to “further enhance the efficiency of medical work” within participating facilities. The testing program focuses on validating the robot’s ability to:

• Perform complex mechanical tasks reliably in ICU environments
• Enable effective remote physician operation
• Reduce healthcare worker travel time
• Improve coordination between hospitals and medical staff
• Provide patients with efficient and appropriate treatment support

Regulatory Status

CARE is currently in hospital testing and has not yet received medical device certifications. The regulatory pathway will depend on the specific functions and claims made for the commercial version.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tasks can CARE perform in the ICU?

CARE is designed for complex mechanical tasks that would otherwise require healthcare workers to enter patient spaces. While specific capabilities depend on the configuration, the robot’s teleoperation design allows physicians to conduct visual assessments, adjust certain equipment, and interact with patients remotely. The goal is to reduce unnecessary room entries while maintaining quality of care.

How does CARE differ from standard telemedicine systems?

Unlike screen-based telemedicine that provides only audiovisual communication, CARE offers physical presence and manipulation capability. Physicians can move the robot to different positions, adjust viewing angles dynamically, and potentially perform certain mechanical actions. This creates a more immersive remote presence compared to fixed video endpoints.

Is CARE currently available for hospitals to purchase?

CARE is in the testing phase with Hong Kong government hospitals and is not yet commercially available. Roborn is using the testing program to validate the technology and gather clinical feedback before broader deployment.