Meet CHETAN, the robot in the frontlines of war against Covid-19

Aiming to reduce the work pressure on healthcare staff, the Defence Research and Development Organisation has designed and developed an electronic robot to assist Covid-19 patients inside the ICU or viral-loaded environment in Covid-19 hospitals or facilities. 

The Covid Hospital Electronic Angel robot or CHETAN can be operated by anyone with basic knowledge of using an Android phone. 

Currently, it is being used in a DRDO-run Covid facility in Delhi.

"For the purpose, an android app and a browser-based application to ensure usage with a wider range of devices, including desktops, has also been developed," a DRDO official said.

Equipped with a camera for the operators to navigate and monitor the patients, the robot has three trays and can move on flat surfaces. 

Out of three trays, the first one carries tablets while the second tray is used to bring food and other medicines. Patients with reduced movement capability can also take these items from the tray and help themselves. The third tray is for water storage. 

"The robot is also fitted with an alarm system, is modular and all materials used are easily available and scalable to meet further requirements," the official said.

The attendants can watch their ward activities through the camera. In emergencies, medical consultation can also be sought.

Since Covid wards are out of bounds for non-essential personnel and work like transporting food and medicines to the patients is being done by medical staff, the robot helps in reducing their load. 

In the past, relatives of patients complained about the lack of communication, especially when the patient was on oxygen support. Those complaints have now stopped since this robot helps provide real-time information. 

DRDO's Directorate of Information Technology and Cyber Security jointly developed CHETAN with assistance from start-ups like Combat Robotics India, Dadhichi Mitigation Solutions, Zeus Numerix, Pune and SR Engineering Solutions Hyderabad.

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