AURA: Autonomous Follower Device

Discipline: MAE

Advisor: Tian Tian

Caregivers in medical facilities juggle many responsibilities, including providing physical and mental care, transporting patients, and managing equipment all while maintaining an efficient workflow. Carrying medical tools while assisting patients, particularly those in wheelchairs, can limit a caregiver's ability to focus and may even lead them to ask patients to hold equipment, which can be unsafe or inconvenient. This autonomous follower device is designed to solve that problem by carrying therapy tools and medical equipment as it follows caregivers through the facility. Using sensors and control systems, it moves at walking speed, navigates hallways, avoids obstacles, and transports payloads without manual guidance. Unlike other medical robots that operate on fixed schedules, this device acts as a real-time companion that stays with the caregiver and provides immediate support. Nurses, therapists, and patients benefit from the increased focus on care. Its potential applications extend beyond hospitals to nursing homes and rehabilitation centers, where mobility aids are commonly used. The key innovation is its fully autonomous function, allowing caregivers to dedicate their attention entirely to the patient and not the tools.

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