COMMENT September 2021 Automation Smarter solutions for industrial efficiency
automationmagazine.co.uk September 2021
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INDUSTRY FOCUS Medical Equipment / Metal Products
Topics in this issue: Industry 4.0 & Smart Factories Machine Vision
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ecently I had a very interesting chat with a colleague from Analog Devices (ADI), discussing how Covid-19 brought on the use of cleaning robots in China to disinfect public areas such as hospitals, airports and train stations, using ultraviolet light. Very early on in the pandemic, China was also the first to use robots to scan people with fever in public places, advising them to self- isolate or seek medical help.
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These robots are laden with sensors and other electronics, scanning ‘targets’, making decisions and communicating with authorities for the best course of action – without human intervention. My colleague also mentioned that these and many other robotic systems most likely use ADI sensors, which have become so small they easily fit into everyday smartphones and wearables. Such wearables will link into work systems to update us on the condition and status and the maintenance required by our workplace equipment, and, on a more personal level, update us on our own state of health and wellbeing. He mentioned a skin sensor that can identify if a mole or discolouration is more than just a blemish, and advise a further action.
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I would like to believe that one day – and very soon, too! – there won’t be hospitals as we know them today, but the point of care will be the home, where patients will be most comfortable in familiar surroundings, leading to speedier recovery. Sensors and high-tech-equipped medical equipment (which by the way will be so small and portable to fit “under the stairs”) will assess a person’s medical condition and liaise remotely with medical personnel to address the health problem. Ultra-low latency, high-availability, reliable and secure IoT – known as Tactile Internet, with real-time audio, visual and haptic feedback will enable tele-diagnosis and tele- rehabilitation. Service robots (or specifically medical ones) will be at hand – at home! – to administer the right medicine at the right time, as well as request refills when needed.
These predictions may appear simplistic at this stage – but if any technology is more needed than ever it’s at-home medical equipment, especially with the rapidly growing ageing population that is also more likely to live alone.
I for one look forward to that hi-tech medical help! Svetlana Josifovska, Editor
Editor Svetlana Josifovska Tel: 01732 883392
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