Driverless 5G delivery vehicle for medical supplies
The Coronavirus pandemic has presented many challenges for healthcare professionals and facilities all over the world. The ongoing effort to respond to the rise in covid-19 cases and to assist in the phase of patient recovery, has left many hospitals overwhelmed. Throughout this phase, technological innovation has provided a glimmer of hope – by exploring news ways of ensuring provision of sustained support in medical services.
As such, Chinese tech giant Huawei will collaborate with Thailand National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Communication (NBTC) and Siriraj Hospital, to develop an unmanned vehicle for smart hospital innovation.
For the first time, this ASEAN nation will have a self-driving delivery vehicle that is supported by 5G technology offered by Huawei to bring a contactless delivery solution of medical supplies. This will raise the medical system standard and facilitate safe delivery of medical supplies in hospitals.
How is the technology beneficial? The car can operate in complex environments, therefore replacing labor in logistics services without the need for physical interaction. The autonomous car offers cost-effective, convenient and safe solutions while reducing workload for healthcare workers and improving patient safety.
Hence, this project represents the enhanced digitalization of Thailand’s medical services, as 5G will play an important role in the next generation of healthcare. The self-driving delivery vehicle integration will then be gradually adopted in the national health system for Smart Hospital transformation in the future.
“After the first test trial in Siriraj Hospital that is at the frontline in fighting coronavirus”, Huawei noted, “NBTC will evaluate the benefits and efficiency of the vehicle before maximizing results to leverage it in different uses and other hospitals.”
Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Thailand, said, “As a global leading company in technology, Huawei is honored and delighted to continuously take part in assisting Thai medical staff. The pilot project of driverless vehicle for Siriraj Hospital will operate under Huawei’s 5G technology to help transport medical supplies within the hospital. This project exemplifies the accelerated digitalization of Thailand’s medical services as 5G will play a key role in the next generation of healthcare.”
The NTBC has been utilizing 5G technology with remote medical services by connecting with large local hospitals in piloting remote treatment of four diseases like eye diseases, skin diseases, blood pressure abnormalities and diabetes, according to reports. “The remote medical care has also expanded to local prisons, to give easier medical access to people and prisoners in remote areas.”
Thus, digital transformation and technological developments are needed to respond to the rapidly changing circumstances brought on by the pandemic.