Model released. Helpmate robot being used to carry patients' meals at a hospital. The robot navigates throughout the hospital, avoiding any obstacles by using a memorised map of the building together with sonar and vision systems. In addition to meals, the robot is used to deliver medicine, medical records & equipment to the wards, to transport specimens & packages to & from laboratories, and handle any internal mail. Use of a robot for relatively menial duties eases the workload of trained nurses & provides transport support to understaffed departments.