Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC) has contributed funds to the Chulalongkorn University Engineering Innovation Fund and Obodroid Corporation Limited to help develop the 'Pinto' (Quarantine Delivery Robot), a prototype robot designed to assist medical staff in overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 virus under the 'CU ROBO COVID' project of the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University.


Mr. Wisit Malaisirirat, CEO of Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC), stated that the CU ROBO COVID team, consisting of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University (MI Workspace), along with HG Robotics and Obodroid Corporation Limited, successfully innovated the production of the 'Pinto' robot to transport food and medicine for patients infected with the coronavirus (COVID-19). Therefore, MQDC has contributed 2 million baht to the “Chulalongkorn University Engineering Innovation Fund” to support the production of this medical assistant robot, reducing the risk for medical teams in hospitals while treating patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. This project has also developed a communication system.

Telepresence technology will be used with the Pinto robot and at patient screening points in hospitals across the country, such as Chulalongkorn Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society, Siriraj Hospital, and Vachira Phuket Hospital, to help medical personnel reduce the risk of infection and enhance safety in patient care.


"In this crisis that we are all facing together, MQDC is pleased to contribute and be part of alleviating the burden on medical personnel who are on the front lines helping patients. We hope to provide them with encouragement and ensure they can perform their duties as smoothly as possible. I would like to express my gratitude for the sacrifices made by medical personnel who have worked tirelessly and bravely faced challenges over the past several months," Mr. Wisit said.


Dr. Mahisorn Wongphati, CEO of Obodroid Corporation Limited and CEO of HG Robotics, stated, “The Obodroid and HG Robotics teams are honored to collaborate with the Faculty of Engineering at Chulalongkorn University (MI Workspace) to produce the prototype robot Pinto (Quarantine Delivery Robot) and develop the communication system (Quarantine Telepresence). The Obodroid team has contributed to software development and provided equipment for the production of the robot and the remote patient monitoring communication system with doctors and nurses, including the development of other essential equipment such as ventilators. Through this collaboration, we aim to produce robots for hospitals nationwide, expected to be completed by May, with a production budget of approximately 50,000 - 70,000 baht per robot with communication system.


Dr. Mahisorn added that the Pinto robot is relatively small, capable of moving around patients in beds, cleaning, and disinfecting easily without becoming a breeding ground for germs. This meets the needs of medical staff in handling this crisis. The robot operates autonomously and does not require additional installation of tools or structures, allowing doctors and nurses to use it immediately. It also enables remote patient care without needing to be close to the patient, reducing the risk for medical personnel and minimizing the use of protective gear, which is currently in short supply.

The Pinto robot is adapted from a commonly used hospital device, a food delivery cart, enhanced with remote control capabilities and a 'Telepresence' communication system specifically designed for medical personnel to safely monitor patients via a tablet screen. It has already been implemented at patient screening points at Chulalongkorn Hospital, with a systematic patient database connection. The Obodroid team is committed to producing robots to improve the quality of life for medical teams across the country as part of our ongoing goals.