Grace -The HealthCare Robot
With the immense pressure on the healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Updated November 2026. This was first published on 14 July 2021. The idea is the same. Any number below is what the original piece said then. It is not a new count.
Key takeaways
- With the immense pressure on the healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become the dire need to develop humanoid robotics that can lend a helping hand and lower the burden of the frontline workers by attending to patients.
- A Hong Kong-based team developed a humanoid Robot targeted at the healthcare industry designed to interact with the elderly and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Hanson Robotics developed Grace in a joint venture with Singularity Studio called ‘Awakening Health.?
With the immense pressure on the healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become the dire need to develop humanoid robotics that can lend a helping hand and lower the burden of the frontline workers by attending to patients. A Hong Kong-based team developed a humanoid Robot targeted at the healthcare industry designed to interact with the elderly and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hanson Robotics developed Grace in a joint venture with Singularity Studio called ‘Awakening Health.? Similar to their celebrity humanoid robot, Sophia, Grace can simulate the action of more than 48 major facial muscles and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose a patient. She can speak three languages: English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Grace is designed to freely engage with people of all ages who have been isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms. Grace can help people fight loneliness and combat depression. With its resemblance to healthcare workers, it can socially interact with people.
Grace is a humanoid robot resembling a healthcare professional especially designed to relieve the burden on the frontline workers. It is considered the sister of Sophia, due to its close resemblance in looks and what it does. Grace is a prototype of Sophia of Hanson Robotics. Grace is created with the sole intention of making the entire process easier for the medical fraternity which is why it is also named the Healthcare Robot.
Grace is designed in such a way that it can freely engage with the elderly and people of all ages who have been isolated because of the symptoms of COVID-19. This way Grace can help people fight loneliness and combat depression. With its resemblance to healthcare workers, it can easily imitate likewise while interacting with patients.
Features of Grace- The HealthCare Robot #
The facial features of Grace resemble the fusion of both Western and Asian Anime characters.
It is dressed in a blue nurse uniform that will portray her as a healthcare professional. A camera installed in her chest will monitor the temperature and also measure the responsiveness of the patients. Grace uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to diagnose the conditions of the patients. She can speak and understand multiple languages. Grace can mimic facial expressions of around 48 facial muscles.
Need of Grace the HealthCare Robot #
The impact of the novel coronavirus has made the world disabled with the shortage of healthcare professionals, the creation of Grace will be a relief to the frontline workers. For people who quarantine themselves and are in isolation with the symptoms of COVID-19, Grace can be of real help, since being a robot it there is no chance of spread of infection. There have been reports of people undergoing depression with nobody around them to talk and socially interact. Her system is built in such a way that she is capable of socially interacting with patients along with facial expressions. It will offer the patients a sense of companionship and a relief that they are not alone.
What is the Cost of Making a HealthCare Robot? #
The cost of making a healthcare robot is akin to that of a luxurious car. There is a high probability that the cost will decrease once the production increases along with the increase in demand. The estimated cost is around $2 million. It would also require regular maintenance for proper functioning.
How can Grace Help the Frontline Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Amidst the shortage of healthcare workers, Grace who is designed specifically as a health care worker will be able to monitor the patients on life support systems. The camera installed in it will help it monitor the changes in health and the responsiveness of the patients. She will work effectively as a nursing staff to look after the patients and give them moral support which is the main tool necessary to deal with any health issue.
This strategic partnership of healthcare and AI together has given an incredible outcome in the form of Grace the HealthCare Robot. This initiative will curb the desire for more healthcare professionals. Reducing down the costs and time-lapse for performing a function can be effectively managed with the help of Grace. The advancing technology and its proper setup in our lives can bring a tremendous change in every sector and healthcare are one of the most important ones.
Questions and answers #
What is the Cost of Making a HealthCare Robot? #
The cost of making a healthcare robot is akin to that of a luxurious car. There is a high probability that the cost will decrease once the production increases along with the increase in demand.
Hanson Robotics developed Grace in a joint venture with Singularity Studio called ‘Awakening Health.? #
Similar to their celebrity humanoid robot, Sophia, Grace can simulate the action of more than 48 major facial muscles and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose a patient. She can speak three languages: English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.