Currently, COVID-19 pandemic has attracted attention of experts across fields to contain the virus. In the fight against current COVID-19 pandemic, experts across fields are engaged to serve communities to contain the spread of the disease. Scientific communities, health experts, technical experts are vying to develop protective equipment, line of treatment, and striving to make use of untypical objects as protective equipment or for treatment to those afflicted.
In one such endeavor, researchers at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have build a semi-autonomous robot that features disinfecting large surfaces quickly. Following this, public trials of the robot is likely to be soon planned to show Singapore is supporting the fight against COVID- 19.
Employing Avant-garde Technology, Bot Eliminates Need of Actual Surface Contact
Named eXtreme Disinfection roBOT – the equipment employs avant-garde technology. The equipment can be wirelessly controlled via a tablet or laptop. This eliminates the need for cleaners to be in touch with surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of contracting the virus from potentially infected surfaces.
The newly developed robot is different from other robots currently used for disinfection. The ones currently available are primarily used to clean and vacuum clean floor surfaces. These are unable to decontaminate odd-shaped surfaces or objects above ground level.
Structurally, XDBOT is in several ways human like. It comprises a 6-axis robotic arm and a semi-autonomous control unit with motorized wheels. Featuring this assembly, the robot imitate human movement to reach odd locations such as under beds, tables, as well as tabletops, doorknobs, and light switches.
Furthermore, XDBOT uses an electrostatic-charged nozzle in place of a conventional pressure-spray one. This ensures wider spread of wider spread of the disinfectant to be used over and behind hidden surfaces. The bot’s nozzle discharges chemicals with a positive electrical charge unlike typical nozzles.
