BANGKOK (NNT) – The Directorate of Medical Services of the Royal Thai Air Force has made adjustments to an explosive ordnance disposal robot, so that it can assist medical personnel in treating patients with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This is a breakthrough for the country’s defense industry, as the bomb disposal robot, originally built by the private sector, has been modified to help treat COVID-19 patients.
The Director of the Directorate of Air Medical Services, AM Kriangkrai Sothonchai, led a group of health care workers to observe the robot’s functions today. The robot was jointly developed by Mahanakorn University of Technology and R V Connex Company Limited at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital – a military hospital operated by the Directorate of Medical Services. The main feature of the machine is that users can change both its hardware and software to serve different purposes. All of its components are made in Thailand.
The robot can lift heavy objects and its control radius can be expanded. Medical personnel can use it to communicate with patients as well as deliver food and other items in controlled areas, to help lower the risk of viral transmission. The robot will initially be used at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital to assist health care workers, who are treating COVID-19 patients.
