Humanoid medical assistant and companion robot for patients

Abstract

In the paper a concept of the humanoid mobile robot dedicated to children hospitals was presented. Designed construction has two practical functions. It is a robotic assistant for medical staff and a companion for young patients. Before design had started, we identified the list of requirements and limitations of the project on the way of wide consultations with medical personnel in selected hospitals in Bialystok (Poland). In the paper we describe some of already existing similar projects. We presented our solution step by step starting from artistic and mechanical design through hardware and software architectures to control, sensors, diagnostic functions and interaction with patients and environment. In the last part of the paper we presented practical effects of our work. The robot was built and put into series of tests involving children interaction. After that, conclusions were drawn and design improvements were proposed. The paper described how the “Bobot – a friend indeed” was created.