Robotics Enter the Hospital Ward
The future of medical care is rolling into the wards of a hospital in Milan. The Maugeri Hospital is currently conducting a pilot clinical study with “Alter-Ego,” a 1.2-meter-tall humanoid robot designed to support clinical staff and assist vulnerable patients. As the healthcare industry faces ongoing staffing pressures, this trial aims to understand how advanced robotics can take over repetitive, basic tasks to free up valuable time for human doctors and nurses.
Inside the Alter-Ego Hardware
Developed by the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the University of Pisa, the robot moves on two wheels and features expressive eyebrows and a screen attached to its chest for patient interaction. The machine is built with soft robotics principles, utilizing compliant arms and multi-articulated hands that allow it to safely grasp objects—like bringing a patient a bottle of water—or gently interact in complex hospital environments. It can operate fully autonomously, semi-autonomously, or via remote control.
Meanwhile in Robotics:
How the Robot is Assisting Patients
The robot has been undergoing testing in a specialized department treating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While initially met with some apprehension, the system has proven highly effective in several key areas:
- Remote Telepresence: The robot acts as a physical avatar for clinicians, allowing doctors to use a headset and joystick to conduct remote follow-up visits, seeing through the robot’s cameras and speaking through its voice.
- Patient Monitoring: Patients can transmit their pain levels or needs directly through the robot’s chest screen, which instantly sends the data to the ward’s nursing staff.
- Future Home Care: Researchers hope that the project will eventually expand beyond the hospital, allowing the robot to assist patients and their caregivers directly in their homes to ensure continuity of care.
