Image of male nurse pushing senior woman in a wheelchair in nursing facility

Three state-run veterans’ nursing homes in Kentucky might be receiving some robotic backup, courtesy of the University of Louisville.

The robots feature a video camera, microphone and LCD screen so doctorsat the university can control them remotely using just a computer and ajoystick. Specialists at the university can steer the robots up to apatient’s bed and conduct exams. Nursing home residents would no longerneed to travel to universities or big cities to get the care they need,the university maintains.  

About ten robots from the university have already been placed at hospitals and care facilities throughout Kentucky, mostly in rural and outlying areas, to assist doctors with pediatric, cardiological and neo-natal concerns. The state Legislature has not yet passed legislation authorizing the project for the nursing homes.