China's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has been swift, with a focus on technology such as social media and QR codes for monitoring, and now six smart robots using 5G technology are working alongside medics in Shanghai.
The 5G robots are being used for tasks including disinfecting and cleaning patient areas, and delivering medicine, to reduce the risk of cross-infection and ensure the safety of medics, according to developer, China Mobile (Shanghai Branch).
Harnessing the power of 5G technology, China Mobile has said, via source Xinhua, that these robots can be used in isolation wards, operation rooms, and fever clinics for improving the efficiency of COVID-19 prevention and control.
5G technology widely deployed
As well as utilising 5G robots, leading telecom operators in Shanghai have developed smart devices including 5G thermal imagers and 5G health monitors to help with the coronavirus epidemic. Seven 5G base stations have been established near the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Centre to ensure the 5G telecommunications services.
Chinese network equipment maker ZTE and network operator China Telecom are currently working together using 5G technology to facilitate the first remote diagnosis of the deadly coronavirus. The ability to remotely diagnose those who are infected will enable the Chinese government to better control the virus, and reduce fatalities.
China’s 5G roll-out
Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has urged the country’s major telecom operators to assess the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, and then quicken construction on the nation's 5G roll-out.
