Researchers from the University of Sheffield in England have developed a robot capable of performing first aid in extreme environments where medical personnel cannot reach.

Using medical telexistence (MediTel) technology, the robot features two robotic arms and virtual reality (VR) systems that can remotely operate medical tools for assessing the condition of a casualty within 20 minutes. The robot can reportedly perform assessments such as palpation of the abdomen, administer pain relief via an auto-injector, and autonomously stream real-time data to a remote operator.

Source: University of Sheffield

“MediTel combined existing medical devices with state-of-the-art robotics systems to develop a platform capable of allowing a remote operator to navigate through potentially difficult terrain and provide critical diagnoses of high-risk casualties,” the researchers explained.

For more on the MediTel system, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Sheffield University.