In the last decade, two areas which have opened up dramatically in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) are medicine and education, as initial skepticism and resistance to AI based on fears continue to vanish. More and more, however, the two fields are being brought together in the form of humanoid robots which serve as valuable learning tools.

One example is Pediatric HAL, a hyper-realistic AI-supported pediatric patient simulator. The very life-like robot was developed by US-based Gaumard, a company which creates simulators that cover every aspect of healthcare education.

The young patient is the most advanced simulator of this kind in the world, producing a surprisingly dynamic range of facial expressions that provide healthcare professionals with real-time and real-life training that involves dealing with unhappy or unruly patients. Most shockingly, HAL can even bleed.

A patient simulator packed with features

The little patient is only 112cm tall and includes presets that reflect 9 different emotional and physical states: angry, quizzical, yawning, anxious, worried, amazed, crying, ongoing pain, and transient pain.

A few of the most important specs related to HAL:

--> Users can monitor the vitals of HAL via defibrillation, SpO2, capnography, NIBP, live pacing and even EKG.

--> Its wireless and tetherless capabilities means there are no limitations in terms of where and which real-life medical situations that HAL can be used.

--> The full range of emergency room (ER) procedures--such as tracheotomies and chest tube insertions--can be performed on HAL, as well as mechanical ventilator use.

--> To ensure easy setup and convenience, all operations can be controlled via a combined tablet PC and UNI interface for facilitators.

--> A total of 10 specially designed simulation learning experiences can be set up to create fresh scenarios to offer real-life experience.

--> Changes in skin color and eye movement which reflect emotional and physical state, ranging from conditions like eyeball and eyelid twitching to drooping eyelids that reflect fatigue.

To give HAL a universal appeal as well as a look that reflects the reality of practicing medicine in every country in the world, the robot is also available in three skin tones, at no added cost to the buyer.

The impact in the medical field

Young patients present unique physical, emotional and psychological challenges to healthcare specialists, and this advanced simulator is helping to both address some of these challenges as well as give professionals the confidence they need to perform their job well.

Meet Pediatric HAL S2225, the most advanced #wireless#tetherless#pediatric#patient simulator & the first designed to help students & clinicians learn how to recognize anxiety, pain & other symptoms through lifelike dynamic expressions, movement & speech https://t.co/1nO4nvkMzH — Gaumard Scientific (@GaumardInFocus) January 16, 2018

The practice "...allows the learner to experience a real-life scenario in a risk-free environment, reflect on the experience through feedback and structured debriefing, understand the concepts more clearly and experiment[,] practice in a safe environment[, and work] at his/her pace. Simulation sessions may help the novice progress up the learning curve faster and acquire the essential technical and nontechnical skills in preparation for real-life," shared Dr. Rakshay Shetty in a recent study on the importance of simulation in pediatrics.

Based on this philosophy, HAL represents, thanks to AI, one of the most enhanced creations of patient simulaton currently available in the medical field.