A Taiwanese medtech startup has begun to showcase a robot that can perform nasal-swab tests for Covid-19 autonomously. Brain Navi says its Nasal Swab Robot can help prevent cross-infections and allow healthcare workers to get back to working with patients opposed to administering Covid tests.
The New York Post says that robot will work after the patient puts a nasal chip on and places their head in a metal bracket much like that of an eye exam. The machine will then orientate itself and find the chip and make its swab.
“Our founder Jerry [Chen Chieh-Hsiao] was the first one to have a nasal swab from the robot and he was terrified,” a spokesperson for the company, Zoe Lee, told The Verge.
But, she said, it’s all a matter of familiarity. “I think people will be frightened because it’s a new thing but that’s normal.
“We’ve heard the feedback and are figuring out how to reduce this terrifying feeling.”
