A team of researchers from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has developed an "Intelligent Autonomous Wiping and UV-C Disinfection Robot" that can reportedly automate hospital disinfection processes.
According to its developers, the Intelligent Autonomous Wiping and UV-C Disinfection Robot is capable of navigating hospital environments and performing disinfection tasks.
The robot features an onboard dual disinfection system with a robotic manipulator for physically wiping surfaces and removing contaminants and UV-C irradiation to disinfect hard-to-reach corners and narrow spaces.
During trials conducted at Pohang's St. Mary's Hospital, the researchers performed bacterial culture experiments to confirm the effectiveness of disinfection and also performed repeated autonomous operations to confirm the robot's usability in clinical settings.
The team reported that perhaps one of the robot's greatest advantages is its ability to automate time-consuming and repetitive disinfection tasks, thus allowing health care professionals to focus more attention on patient care while also reducing the risk of infection within the hospital.
"Although COVID-19 has transitioned into an endemic phase, it remains essential to prepare for future pandemics. We will continue advancing this disinfection robot technology beyond hospitals to public facilities, various social infrastructures, and everyday environments to further reduce infection risks," the researchers concluded.
An article detailing the robot, "Autonomous Ultraviolet-C Disinfection and Wiping Robot: Assessment in a Hospital Environment," appears in the journal IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine.