AI, robotics start-ups leverage tools to combat Covid-19

As India battles to contain the spread of coronavirus, artificial intelligence and technology start-ups in the country are leveraging their tools and solutions to help those in the frontline combat the crisis. Invento Robotics, a Bengaluru-based start-up, has been re-purposing its robots -- to screening and diagnostics robots -- to help doctors and healthcare workers from getting exposed to infected patients. The screening robot helps with data collection (name of the patient, symptoms exhibited) and validation (temperature checks) in a contactless manner. Those having a high body temperature, or exhibiting symptoms of the virus, or those whose family members have tested positive will be directed towards the diagnostics robot, which enables a video conversation with a doctor sitting in a remote location, and procures a prescription thereafter, for the patient. "We started the pilot with two robots this week in two hospitals and we have about 10 hospitals that are waiting for the robots," said CEO Balaji Viswanathan.