Another step towards the robotic workforce.

Zachstar · 07-07-09, 03:39 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/p...ug-dispensers/

Quote:

Panasonic isn't quite ready to actually show off the robot just yet, but it says it could be making the rounds at some Japanese hospitals by next March, and head into the United States and Europe sometime after that.

Quote:

it "does not look humanoid" but rather looks like "a cabinet with lots of small drawers"

That 2nd quote is EXTREMELY important. People seem to have this idea that next gen workforce robots have to look like something skynet made. That is not the case. They just have to do a job. Not look great doing it.

These med robots are extremely expensive right now and at most will replace a few thousand employees. Yet this is 2009 and small things that can do a GREAT deal like the Atom CPU have been out for only a few years. And super high MP sensors only a few as well. Give it a few years and I believe the news will start claiming its a "new wave"

Stealhead · 07-07-09, 08:02 PM

Nice I bet the robot is far more pernsonable than some doctors and nurses are.

Buddahaid · 07-07-09, 08:18 PM

The pyxis bot is a roving drug cabinet. Current pyxis systems are found in OR suites and within departments, as fixed password protected drug cabinets. The pharmacy fills the drawers and the nurses open them to pull doctor's orders for meds. The units keeps track of what's used and who opened them to prevent theft.

I don't quite see what the new one would add since patient records and such are already accessable at work stations and COWS (computers on wheels).

Buddahaid

Zachstar · 07-07-09, 09:43 PM

Well the reason I posted it was more of an emphasis on these early steps towards a robotic workforce. I am not in the medical profession so I cant say if the things are actually worth it or not. My guess is not really because this is 2009 and I don't expect mobile robots that can seriously start to take the jobs of humans until 2013 or so.

Personally tho I hope they do what they can to make medical robots widespread. It could help reduce mistakes and reduce cost which might give more people a chance at healthcare.

Buddahaid · 07-07-09, 10:15 PM

Hi Zachstar, I do work in the medical field as a Clinical Engineer. I take all equipment with a grain of salt at first. Medical technology has come great bounds in the last few decades and the gains come with increased costs, but generally better health care. Some parts can be astronomical in price such as proprietary x-ray tubes for CT scanners running to $250,000 each. And simple parts like an o-ring or screw running from $3.00 to $6.00 each. Some companies like Philips, will charge $35.00 per line item, on an order for overnight shipping. Some of this is justified, but much of the cost is compensation for high overhead due to insurance premiums, and the current trend of making service a profit center. Labor rates for GE, Philips, and Toshiba radiology service are about $300.00 an hour whether you get a great experienced pro, or a new tech who spends all his time on the phone to his service center while charging $300.00 an hour. GE sold vital signs monitors that had plastic housings that would crack from the disinfectant wipe downs. Could you buy the broken piece? No, you had to buy the plastics package containing all the plastic parts in the whole machine, even though it was the handle on top that always cracked.

So, will these robots make medicine cheaper? I have many doubts.

Buddahaid

Zachstar · 07-07-09, 10:31 PM

A great deal cheaper? not quickly obviously but I do read about a percentage of the high healthcare costs is due to lawsuits as a result of mistakes. I dont want to drag this to the topic of justified or not. But you have to admit. It would be difficult to argue you got this and this condition due to a robot rather than such from a doctor working a late shift or somthing.

Its not a HUGE decrease in cost especially when compared to what robots can do in other fields such as mining and farming and supply but it is a step in the right direction no.

Tho atleast you arent outright dismissing robotic technology having a bigger role in the workforce as many seem to do. Living in lala land and ignoring change will only lead to hardship later. I for one fear for what they will do to the job market for nonskilled labor but I accept that the growth to the economy due to their abilities is worth it.

07-07-09, 09:43 PM	#4
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Well the reason I posted it was more of an emphasis on these early steps towards a robotic workforce. I am not in the medical profession so I cant say if the things are actually worth it or not. My guess is not really because this is 2009 and I don't expect mobile robots that can seriously start to take the jobs of humans until 2013 or so. Personally tho I hope they do what they can to make medical robots widespread. It could help reduce mistakes and reduce cost which might give more people a chance at healthcare. __________________

07-07-09, 10:31 PM	#6
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	A great deal cheaper? not quickly obviously but I do read about a percentage of the high healthcare costs is due to lawsuits as a result of mistakes. I dont want to drag this to the topic of justified or not. But you have to admit. It would be difficult to argue you got this and this condition due to a robot rather than such from a doctor working a late shift or somthing. Its not a HUGE decrease in cost especially when compared to what robots can do in other fields such as mining and farming and supply but it is a step in the right direction no. Tho atleast you arent outright dismissing robotic technology having a bigger role in the workforce as many seem to do. Living in lala land and ignoring change will only lead to hardship later. I for one fear for what they will do to the job market for nonskilled labor but I accept that the growth to the economy due to their abilities is worth it. __________________

07-07-09, 08:02 PM	#2
Stealhead Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,421 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Nice I bet the robot is far more pernsonable than some doctors and nurses are.

07-07-09, 08:18 PM	#3
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,319 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	The pyxis bot is a roving drug cabinet. Current pyxis systems are found in OR suites and within departments, as fixed password protected drug cabinets. The pharmacy fills the drawers and the nurses open them to pull doctor's orders for meds. The units keeps track of what's used and who opened them to prevent theft. I don't quite see what the new one would add since patient records and such are already accessable at work stations and COWS (computers on wheels). Buddahaid

07-07-09, 10:15 PM	#5
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,319 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	Hi Zachstar, I do work in the medical field as a Clinical Engineer. I take all equipment with a grain of salt at first. Medical technology has come great bounds in the last few decades and the gains come with increased costs, but generally better health care. Some parts can be astronomical in price such as proprietary x-ray tubes for CT scanners running to $250,000 each. And simple parts like an o-ring or screw running from $3.00 to $6.00 each. Some companies like Philips, will charge $35.00 per line item, on an order for overnight shipping. Some of this is justified, but much of the cost is compensation for high overhead due to insurance premiums, and the current trend of making service a profit center. Labor rates for GE, Philips, and Toshiba radiology service are about $300.00 an hour whether you get a great experienced pro, or a new tech who spends all his time on the phone to his service center while charging $300.00 an hour. GE sold vital signs monitors that had plastic housings that would crack from the disinfectant wipe downs. Could you buy the broken piece? No, you had to buy the plastics package containing all the plastic parts in the whole machine, even though it was the handle on top that always cracked. So, will these robots make medicine cheaper? I have many doubts. Buddahaid