You’re all clear, virtually, says Dr Robot – www.smh.com.au

A US hospital has taken on a 1.5-metre tall interactive robot as a new staff member. It is designed to give patients remote access to their doctors.

Dr Robot looks like an oversized vacuum cleaner and has a video screen for a head.

It has infrared sensors, a movable video screen, a zoom video camera, a microphone and a speaker.

Doctors can examine patients through it from hundreds of kilometres away, using a joystick and internet connection.

The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore is using the robot to determine if patients would rather see a different doctor when their own is not available, or use the robot to consult remotely with their regular physician appearing live on its monitor.

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