Youban, a healthcare robot, measures the blood pressure for an elderly patient in Bailu community. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

A Chongqing robotics company is trying to solve the problem of staff shortages in the healthcare network by introducing robots that can carry out basic medical checks.

Youbanjia, a tech company based at Chongqing Internet Industrial Park is trialing its self-developed humanoid robot, Youban, on elderly patients at a community nursing center in Liangjiang New Area.

At less than half a meter tall, Youban is portable and can sit atop a desk while monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart rate. All of the information taken is then uploaded to a cloud platform for further assessment.

Youbanjia is marketing its robot as an aid and companion for elderly people who might experience loneliness – the robot is able to tell stories, sing songs, and recite poetry.

Sun Zhiju, an elderly resident in Bailu community said that Youban reminds her when to take her medicine, when her next check-up is due, and can even dial family members in cases of emergency.

“The first time I had the robot measure my blood pressure, I was immediately at ease because it evens speaks the Sichuan dialect,” Sun said.

Pan Xiaoming, general manager of Youbanjia, said the robot bridges a technology gap that many elderly people experience.

“Many elderly people cannot use mobile phones and the internet as skillfully as young people, and that’s where our robot can help,” Pan said. “Through a display screen on the robot, people can even make video calls to family and friends.”

Bai Lingbang, a company specializing in elderly care services, provides support for the nursing service centers in Liangjiang’s communities.

“The robot offers a good solution to our labor shortages at the service sector,” said Bao Yu, Bai Lingbang’s head of operations. “We have just three staff members for more than 200 elderly people.”

Bao said that they hoped to have 100 of the robots by the end of the month, and then offer them to elderly people to rent or buy and take home. Youbanjia plans to roll its products out across Chongqing before entering the national market in 2018.

 

Pan Xiaoming, general manager of Youbanjia details the functions of the company’s robots. [Photo/liangjiang.gov.cn]

Edited by Owen Fishwick