HCARD to control spread of corona infection among doctors

The city-based Central Mechcal Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has developed a robotic device -- HCARD -- to control the spread of infection among doctors and minimise frequent contact with COVID-19 patients.

"HCARD or Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device can help frontline healthcare workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by a coronavirus," said the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation.

"This Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device can be effective for frontline healthcare officials dealing with COVID-19 patients in delivering services while maintaining mandatory physical distancing," said Prof Harish Hir, Director, CSIR-CMERI.

Prof Hir said the cost of this device is less than Rs 5 lakh and the weight is less than 80 kilograms.

This robot can be controlled and monitored by a nursing booth with a control station having such features as navigation, drawer activation for providing medicines and food to patients, sample collection, and audio-visual communication.

As spelt out by the WHO, personal protective equipment (PPE) is very important in preventing the transmission of coronavirus in society.

Scientists at the CMERI have also developed a few other customised technologies including disinfection walkway, road stiser unit, face mask, mechcal ventilator and hospital waste management facility.

( With inputs from ANI )