Robotic futures: The rise of the hospital Robot

The RP-Vita is a robot which can be manoeuvred around hospital wards from afar.

It can make a diagnosis by looking into a patient's eyes and monitor breathing with a digital stethoscope. It also projects the doctor's face and voice so that a patient can interact with them.

The robot is now installed in a handful of hospitals across North America. But can a $60,000 (£36,000) a year device ever replace a doctor's bedside manner?

The BBC's North America technology correspondent Richard Taylor was given a demonstration by Colin Angle, founder of the machine's manufacturer iRobot.

Follow Richard on Twitter @RichTaylorBBC.