Meet Houston Methodist’s new security robots: Holmes and Watson

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into so many areas of our lives. From customer service chatbots to smart home systems, AI is now as mainstream as it gets. In light of this, it’s not surprising that robots are being tapped for everything from helping visitors find their destination to patrolling hospital hallways to beef up security.

As the largest hospital in Houston, Houston Methodist sees more patients and visitors in one day, keeping the facility safe is a complex matter. With the addition of Holmes and Watson, Methodist’s new security robots, this task just became a lot more manageable.

Looking very much like something out of Star Wars, the two robots travel through the hallways, sending video back to command central. Each is equipped with a 360˚ camera that has thermal capabilities and a two-way audio system so other security personnel can communicate with each other. On-board emergency call buttons can be activated by staff or patients when help is needed.

Though Holmes and Watson will not replace human personnel, they are making everybody’s job easier – and then, of course, there’s the added bonus of a somewhat whimsical nature.

Beyond security: could robots be the future of healthcare?

Robots in healthcare may not be all that new, but as the technology advances, their potential is improving dramatically.

In China, for instance, robots are being tapped as a solution to their doctor shortage. In the UK, bedside robots are being tested to help patients with tasks such as eating, diagnostics, and post-surgical recovery.

According to a recent study on the impact of AI on patient care in the NHS (the British healthcare system), if broad AI adoption was realized, such robots could commandeer a wide range of tasks, taking them out of the hands of humans and saving the government in the range of £12.5 billion every year. These cost savings would address skilled staff shortages and improve efficiency and accuracy in communicating medical information, booking appointments and filling prescriptions.

By taking over simple, repetitive or administrative duties, it would free up hospital staff to spend more time focusing on patient care – and that’s where the real magic happens.

Tug, for instance, is a robot designed specifically for the healthcare industry. Somewhere between a Roomba and a self-driving car, Tug delivers food, medication, live organs, linens, and more to areas in the hospital – on time and on cue. And when it’s done, it will return itself to its charging station until it’s needed again. Like Holmes and Watson, Tug is not meant to replace humans. Rather, it is there to make their jobs easier.

For now, back in Houston, Holmes and Watson are keeping a watchful eye over patients and visitors alike, allowing security personnel to see into areas they wouldn’t usually be able to, even with 1500-plus cameras stationed around the building. They can display messages, give directions, and relay information, all crucial tasks that are improving the safety and security of the hospital.

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