Visitors to the University of Queensland’s Ekka display on Wednesday will be greeted by a large robot that is helping Queensland doctors conquer the tyranny of distance and improve delivery of specialist medical care to the bush.
The robot is a creation of UQ’s Centre for Online Health – a world leader in telemedicine research.
The wireless robot can be wheeled to the bedside of sick children for video-link consultations with Brisbane specialists, greatly reducing the need for families to travel to the city for specialist care.
Local doctors take the robot to the bedside and thanks to a video-link, established via the Centre, the sick child can see their Brisbane specialist on the robot’s television–like screen. A built-in camera and microphone enables the specialist to see and speak with the child.
The Ekka robot is one of four robots that will be commissioned over the next three years, thanks to a $335,000 grant provided by mining company Xstrata (Community Partnership Program), through the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. The robot project is an extension of the telepaediatric research led by the Centre for Online Health, in collaboration with the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.
The robot will be at the Ekka on Wednesday, August 15 only. A demonstration for media will be held at UQ’s National Science Week display in the Fun and Learning Pavilion, Pavilion 6, Agriculture Street, RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills, between 10am to 10.30am.
Media inquiries: Senior Research Fellow Dr Anthony Smith – 0413 901 644 or Jan King at 0413 601 248.
