TOKYO - The robot developed by researchers at RIKEN and Tokai Rubber Industries (TRI), capable of lifting patients weighing up to 80kg from the floor to the bed and into wheelchairs. It can reduce one of the nurses quite a difficult task and takes a lot of energy.
RIBA-II's nurse robot
A new robot with high-quality sensors and control technologies are flexible to make Japan a step further in providing high quality care for the growing elderly population.
Japan's elderly population is estimated in 2015 that requires further treatment amounted to 5.7 million people, Japan faces the urgent need to assist the task of treatment in hospital. One of the hardest tasks for nurses is to perform the task. They did so on average 40 times per day.
In 2009, RIKEN-TRI Collaboration Center (RTC) had made a robot named RIBA (Robot Assistance for Interactive Body) which is designed to help nurses work. This first generation of robots capable of lifting patients from bed to wheelchair and vice versa. However, this robot has functional limitations in performing their duties.
RIBA-II is a new robot that can overcome the limitations of the RTC with additional power and more functionality. The new joints are mounted on the robot base and lower back make RIBA-II can squat and lift the patient from the mattress on the floor, the hardest task physically for care. Similarly, as quoted by Japan Today, Sunday (07/08/2011).
This second-generation robot can complete the new task well because it has a Rubber Smart sensors, mounted on a robot arm and chest. The sensor allows the RIBA-II to detect a person's weight quickly through touch. Thus ensuring patient safety.
TRI aims to help care by giving robots such as RIBA-II into the international market in the near future. With the hope to support and help that is always growing elderly population worldwide.
In the future, researchers RTC will work with partners to test nursing RIBA-II and further customize the needs of caregivers and their patients, while they also develop new applications such as rehabilitation.
