MechaMedic
" a. What tasks will the robot do?
- The reason we need a medical robot is that because the moon is so far away from Earth and due to the nature of the Lunar Gateway, in general less Astronauts will be on the Lunar Gateway than for example the International Space Station. Sometimes there may be only one or two astronauts working alone on the Gateway. Due to this lack of medical experts and helping hands in case of an emergency, we decided to make a medical robot to help in case of an emergency.
- This robot is a medical robot and will be primarily used to help with basic medical tasks in case of emergencies such as basic diagnoses, giving medicine and chest compressions/CPR. If it detects a medical emergency, it will determine the fastest route to the person and carry them to the med bay with the stretcher.
b. What challenges/opportunities is your robot tackling?
- It will help aid with the lack of staff, specifically medical staff, and ease the pressure placed on them. It can also help save lives by doing basic chest compressions when needed, and can also give humans life saving medicine (such as aspirin) if needed.
c. What sensors will the robot use to help it carry on its tasks?
- Ultrasonic Sensor: Use to detect obstacles and other objects in the way of the robot. Helps the robot move around.
- IR Sensor: Used to detect the temperature of humans which can then be used for basic diagnoses. Can also be used to detect human presences or other heat signatures in the way, which can help it maneuver.
- Camera: Can be used along with AI to maneuver around the Lunar Gateway. It can also use facial recognition to pull up a patient database of humans, to check for previous medical conditions.
- Vital Monitors: With the implementation of the MechaMedic, every Astronaut on board will be equipped with sensors monitoring their vital signs including heartrate, temperature, location, breathing, and blood pressure. If the sensors detect a medical emergency they will alert the robot which receives the signal with an antennae.
d. What decisions will the AI make to help the robot?
- The AI’s main decisions will be in deciding the quickest and most efficient route to use when driving throughout the Lunar Gateway. The AI would also be used to diagnose the disease or illness just based on the basic symptoms shown, and if the person is conscious or needs medical help. The AI can also use facial recognition to pull up some past medical records of the patients, making it easier to diagnose some illnesses.
e. What actions does the robot do when it makes those decisions?
- The actions can vary based on the AI’s decisions.. Some of the actions done with the piston include chest compressions as well as performing the Heimlich Maneuver. With the syringe arm, it can inject different types of life saving medicine. It has a stretcher as well, just in case the AI deems it a severe case and the patient needs to be taken to a Med-Bay.
f. What is your AI robot's name?
- Mecha Medic.
Materials:
Body: The body would be made out of some lightweight material such as aluminum. Aluminum, being cheap and lightweight, would make it very efficient and would allow for repairs and such to be done easily. If the robot were to leave the lunar gateway, a more reinforced and durable material such as steel or iron would be best. Although it would increase cost, it would make it more durable and allow it to last longer.
Parts: As for the rest of the parts, they would be made out of plastic which is cheap, lightweight and durable.
Components/Parts: Piston: Used to perform CPR by giving chest compressions with a mechanical hand attached to a piston.
Loader Arm: Used to load people onto a stretcher, or into a certain position
Padded Platform: Padded stretcher to carry people around safely and quickly.
Camera: Used to take photos, diagnose basic problems, assist the loader arm by helping it move the human into the right position, and detect obstacles, all by using AI. Equipped with an IR sensor to detect heat. Camera is attached to an extendable arm that can extend up to 180 cm and swivel around 360 degrees
IR Sensor: Used to take temperature, and can also detect human bodies using temperature signatures (ex. can detect fever, low body temp, etc)
Syringe Arm: This can be used to inject medicine and other painkillers stored in the body of the robot in order to help the human.
Receiver: The robot will receive continuous messages from vital systems attached to each astronaut to tell how well they are breathing, their heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, etc.
Battery: Battery is found inside the robot. Has a long life, but would need to be recharged, similar to a Tesla or electric car.
Wheels: The rover will have spherical wheels utilizing magnetic levitation technology that can rotate in any direction to be able to deftly maneuver around the halls of the space station and accurately position itself to perform chest compressions or load someone onto the stretcher.