Irvine, Calif., Feb. 18, 2021 – Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, UC San Diego and UCLA have been awarded a $1.2 million grant to develop advanced robots that will allow healthcare workers to safely conduct remote exams and provide quarantined Californians a safe way to connect outside their homes.

“COVID-19 has changed how we work and interact with each other,” said co-principal investigator Veronica Ahumada-Newhart, a research scientist at UCI’s Institute for Clinical & Translational Science. “We are extending our earlier work to new environments where there is high risk of infection: patient care and community engagement.”

As the pandemic continues, millions are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, including people with cancer and suppressed immune systems as well as older adults. Staying safe means isolation, which puts these individuals at increased risk for depression, suicide, dementia and other conditions.

At the same time, many healthcare workers and, by extension, their families are vulnerable to the virus daily.

To address this, the research team will develop easy-to-operate, low-cost robots. Called UC Iris, they will give homebound people opportunities to engage with the outside world and healthcare workers the ability to physically examine patients without risking exposure.

The project has a particular focus on Latino communities, the hardest-hit by COVID-19 in California. Working with LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and Orange County healthcare centers, UCI will explore how technology could help these residents to safely enjoy social and family events.

“COVID-19 has changed how we work and interact with each other,” says co-principal investigator Veronica Ahumada-Newhart, a research scientist at UCI’s Institute for Clinical & Translational Science. “We are extending our earlier work to new environments where there is high risk of infection: patient care and community engagement.”
Courtesy of Veronica Ahumada-Newhart

“When communities reopen, not everyone will be able to return to in-person activities,” Ahumada-Newhart said. “Through this work, we will create telemanipulation robots that allow people to participate in social gatherings, family events and cultural activities in public spaces.”

The UC-wide team’s robots will have advanced tactile sensing, manipulation capabilities and technology to transmit information through touch. The researchers will also study how best to deploy the automatons to improve telehealth, working with healthcare personnel across the UC system.

The robots “will allow operators to feel truly immersed in a remote location and give them a sense of presence and touch,” Ahumada-Newhart said.

Jacquelynne Eccles, UCI Distinguished Professor of education, is also a member of the team, which is led by UCSD’s Laurel Riek, an associate professor of computer science & engineering.

This project is one of 15 funded by the 2021 UC Multicampus Research Programs and Initiatives competition. The awards support research collaborations in fields important to California’s people, environment and economy.

“The MRPI competition funds discoveries that improve the lives of Californians and draws world-class student, faculty and staff talent to the university,” said UC President Michael V. Drake. “UC programs like this help keep California at the forefront of breakthrough research and technological innovation.”

Team members also include Veronica Santos, a UCLA professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering; Tania Morimoto, a UCSD assistant professor of mechanical & aerospace engineering; and Kristen Wells, a San Diego State University associate professor of psychology.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.

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