A San Diego children’s hospital has unveiled a novel way to transport young patients to the operating theatre – in luxury remote-control toy cars.

The collection of mini cars, unveiled yesterday at the Rady Children’s Hospital, allow young patients to ‘drive’ themselves to the operating room. They are part of a new program designed to make children more relaxed before their procedures and are actually operated by a nurse or a doctor.

The three miniature cars are for patients aged 3 – 8 years, and the young patients can chose from three luxury models – a BMW, a Mercedes or a Lamborghini.

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The cars were donated by the San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Agencies through a teddy bear drive that raised money and stuffed animals for the children at the hospital, NBC Los Angeles reports. The goal is to make the hospital experience more positive for patients.

‘It’s not just for the child to feel like this is a fun thing to do,’ said Dr. Daniela Carvalho, medical director at Rady Children’s Hospital. But the stress of surgery falls on the parents too. When they see their child smiling, it makes the separation anxiety a lot easier.’

Andrea Destrajo, 5, indicated how successful the programme could be on Tuesday when she was pictured smiling broadly and having fun driving the cars at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

‘It’s a very stressful moment when kids come into the operating room for their families,’ said Dr. Carvalho told NBC Los Angeles. ‘When they see these cars they just light up. They are happy.’

Video: Kids in a US hospital drive themselves to operation room