5G smart car helps staff work better


5GMediCar cover
Images adapted from: Isranews and MCOT

Telemedicine is on the rise as hospitals continue to look for ways to keep their healthcare workers safe during the pandemic.

On 25th June, the Siriraj Hospital tested a prototype for a self-driving delivery car to help hospitals work more efficiently.


The car uses 5G technology


5GMediCar car
Image credit: MCOT

The project is a collaboration between the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, Siriraj Hospital, and Huawei Technologies. The self-driving vehicle uses Huawei’s 5G technology to remotely control itself between the hospital’s five buildings.

It is one of the hospital’s first steps towards their shift into using 5G for telemedicine, according to Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, the dean of the faculty of medicine Siriraj Hospital of Mahidol University.


Will save medical workers’ time


5GMediCar inside
Image credit: NBT World

The vehicle’s contactless delivery of medical supplies will keep medical workers from possible infections via physical contact with others and also allow more staff to focus on other duties. The car can carry up to 500kg, reported NBT World.

5GMediCar photo stand
Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa (2nd left)
Image credit: Daily News

Dr. Watanapa hopes to reduce hospital workload and supply its medical workers safely by using self-driving cars.

He believes that telemedicine is the future, and the car can help streamline hospitals. He also hopes to expand this concept further around the hospital if tests show promise.


A future with remote healthcare


This is exciting news for Thailand’s medical industry as it continues to move forward digitally and explore remote healthcare.

We hope to see where it will take us next.


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