Mayo Clinic Jacksonville in Florida is relieving overstretched hospital workers by toting medical supplies, including COVID-19 tests, in driverless shuttles.
The medical center is testing the service through a partnership with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the autonomous transport service supplier Beep and Navya, a France-based company specialized in autonomous driving systems.
The program launched March 30 with a fleet of four vehicles in full autonomous mode—no attendants aboard—to move COVID-19 test kits from a drive-thru testing site to a processing lab on Mayo Jacksonville’s campus, according to a news item posted by Mayo.
Kent Thielen, MD, the CEO of Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, says the ability to think innovatively during the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened all stakeholders, not least with its demonstration of intra-community collaboration.
“Using artificial intelligence enables us to protect staff from exposure to this contagious virus,” Thielen says. Meanwhile, he adds, using cutting-edge technology “frees up staff time that can be dedicated to direct treatment and care for patients.”
To read the rest and view photos and a video posted by Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, click here.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.