Remote-Presence Robot

While robots may never totally replace the human touch that physicians
provide, a high-tech robot being tested at The Johns Hopkins Hospital could
be used to link patients with their physicians in a whole new way. 

Robots can augment regular interactions and be used when it's not practical
or possible for physicians to be there in person, such as in military
operations, natural or bioterrorist disasters, at sea, or in other remote
locations. 

The robot from InTouch Health (Goleta, CA) has a computer screen for a head,
a video camera for eyes, and a speaker for a mouth. It is directly linked to
a real doctor who uses a joystick for moving it about. Looking at a computer
terminal, the doctor directing the robot sees what the robot sees and hears
what the robot hears. At the other end, patients can see and talk to the
doctor's face displayed on the flat screen. All of this is connected to the
Internet via broadband and a wireless network. 

So far, Dr. Robot has checked-up on 20 patients in between regular physician
visits to find out how they are feeling, inspect their surgical sites to
ensure proper healing, and answer questions. 

Read the complete story at http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20030811A6
Learn more about InTouch Health Inc. at http://link.abpi.net/l.php?20030811A7