GC, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Navamindradhiraj University, and Polyfoam Group join together to develop and provide “Shared Robots” to the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, and Somdej Phranangchaosirikit Hospital, Naval Medical Department

On June 18, 2020, Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, Chief Executive Officer, along with Mr. Boonchai Chunhawiksit, Senior Executive Vice President, Upstream Petrochemical Business and Dr. Chaya Chandavasu, Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Branding of PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited ,or GC, Prof. Dr. Somrerk Chandra-ambhorn, Deputy Dean of Information Technology, Research and Development Department at King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB), and Asst. Prof. Dr. Chirdpong Deelertpaiboon, Chief of Working Group on Robots at KMUTNB, joined together to provide a medical robot called IRAPs SHaRE-aGIVeR, or “The Shared Robot” to Prof. Dr. Suraphol Nitikraipot, President of the University Council of Navamindradhiraj University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anant Manomaipiboon, President of Navamindradhiraj University, at the Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital. The ongoing and proactive cooperation between the academic and private sectors is effectively supporting medical professionals and the Thai people in safely and successfully overcoming the pandemic.

On the same day, Mr. Patiparn Sukorndhaman, President and Mr. Anutin Chuaypen, Senior Vice President - Group Performance Center - Aromatics of GC, also provided a shared robot to Somdej Phranangchaosirikit Hospital, Naval Medical Department in Chonburi at Somdej Phranangchaosirikit Hospital, Naval Medical Department.

The shared robot is a prototype highlighting the cooperation between GC, KMUTNB (which won the World Rescue Robot Competition for eight consecutive years), the Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology (VISTEC), Navamindradhiraj University, and Polyfoam Group. The shared robot was invented for use in hospitals to help reduce the risk of infection by medical professionals. GC joined a discussion with the hospitals on improved prototype designs to find solutions to further develop the robot to meet the demands of medical professionals. In addition, GC contributed financial support to produce the shared robot, which in the near future, will be attached with a tray to place medical devices, supplies, and food. The tray will be made of premium-grade polylactic acid (PLA) which is biodegradable, durable and flexible using 3D printing technology.

Through this cooperation, VISTEC provided design software and developed a web page to record patient data to reduce diagnostic and treatment errors, thereby helping medical professionals. Additionally, Polyfoam Group engaged in the design process and provided the materials required for the production of the robot. The robots will be used in each hospital to deliver items including medications and medical supplies, food, and patient medical records to doctors for examination in designated areas. The robots can also play music and videos for patients, helping relieve stress and anxiety, and also facilitate teleconferencing between patients and their physicians allowing them to maintain physical distancing to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases.