Social Impacts

Hazard: Buyers will need to have a higher budget for the initial purchase, as well as spare parts in case of repair. The more the device is used, the more money will be spent on maintenance.

Solution: Only use the device in surgeries or situations where lots of sutures are needed, or if the sutures are time sensitive. The device is able to close wounds faster and more efficiently, but it may be redundant to use it for small areas needing attention.

Hazard: Once the product's useful life has ended, the remaining parts of the device contribute to the E-waste problem, in which components are left to decompose in landfills.

Solution: The customer can return the device to the supplier, where it can be properly recycled and not contribute as much to the E-waste issue.

Hazard: This product would also add to the number of new robotic devices used in the medical field, which could eventually lead to more accidents during surgeries as the technology is relatively new. Questions could arise about when robots are actually needed for procedures, versus when they can just help certain processes.

Solution: The product should be thoroughly tested in many different scenarios over time to measure intervals for component replacement. Hospitals and other institutions might decide to only use the robotic device in a case where lots of suturing is required. The robot can speed up that process and reduce labor-intensive steps in the procedure.