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R_www.dailymail.co.uk_sciencetech 2015 04566.txt.txt

#US ARMY hopes to use Short circuit-style robots to rescue casualties from battlefields Wounded soldiers could soon be rescued from war zones and dangerous situations by robotic medics under proposals put forward by a senior army doctor. The off-road robots, which look remarkably similar to the star of 1986 film Short circuit, could be used to carry casualties to safety while under fire. The machines would help reduce the risk to unit medics who provide the front-line care to soldiers injured during battle. Major general Steve Jones, commander of the Army Medical Department Centre and chief of the US ARMY Medical Corps said the robots could dramatically reduce the number of casualties. Speaking at a medical conference sponsored by the Association of the US ARMY near the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, he said the robots could also link doctors to frontline units for on the spot diagnosis and advice. He said:''We have lost medics throughout the years because they have the courage to go forward and rescue their comrades under fire.''We already use robots on the battlefield today to examine IEDS (improvised explosive devices) and to detonate them.''With some minor adaptation, we could take that same technology and use it to extract casualties that are under fire.''How many medics have lost we, or other soldiers, because they have gone in under fire to retrieve a casualty? We can use a robotics device for that.''The US ARMY said it could adapt its current battlefield robots by making them larger so they can rescue downed soldiers. With caterpillar-style tracks and a head on top of a flexible neck, they look remarkably like Johnny Five-the malfunctioning mechanical star of the Short circuit films. Major general Jones said they could also provide a vital'telemedicine'link between front-line units and experienced medical staff back at base or even at home in the US. He said:''What happens when a member of the team comes down with cellulitis or pneumonia? We have got to use telemedicine to tele-mentor them on the diagnosis and treatment. Drone aircraft could also be used to deliver antibiotics or blood to front-line units to keep them in the fight, according to Major general Jones. He said:''So you don't have to evacuate the casualties, so the team can continue its mission.''He added that other technologies, such as sensors to monitor a solider's vital signs, may also find their way onto the battlefield and will be worn by soldiers full time. The US ARMY is already developing sensors similar to a'Fitbit'could monitor their heart rate and steps taken to help medics provide advice to keep them healthy while in a battle zone. Major general Jones said:''Army Medical Research and Materiel Command is actually developing physiological sensors that soldiers can wear.''They can be wearing the sensors and we can just monitor them. And we can do that remotely.''This is just a step forward that will monitor other physiological parameters. do need they to push more water? How many calories have consumed they?''There is a lot of information we can provide commanders that they can use to manage their soldiers.''The same sensors could also be used to triage casualties automatically if they are injured to get help to the ones who need if most. Major general Jones added:''If you see a casualty whose heart rate is way up, whose respiratory rate is way up, that may be an indication they lost a lot of blood, and need treatment now, as opposed to a casualty whose vital signs are stable and you wouldn't have to treat as quickly.'

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