It is all over the news – the COVID-19 or coronavirus cases continue to escalate globally, triggering worries from the public. To date, the statistics show over two million positive cases of the disease and over 150,000 deaths related to it worldwide. While other diseases and illnesses have far more cases and fatalities than COVID-19, this pandemic that spreads like wildfire should still be addressed. Unsurprisingly, robotics enterprises have answered.
According to Rocos Global Ltd., a robotics company based in Auckland, the authorities highly prioritize minimizing the risk of transference from a person to another. Through their Rocos Robot Operations Platform, they empower innovators and clients to link, keep track of, and manage a number of robots.
Robots are not new in the medical system, as emphasized by Rocos. We have seen these intelligent machines being utilized in surgical operations, medication dispensation, and transportation of various items in hospitals. Additionally, here are those utilized to tidy and decontaminate places, entertain and notify people, and transport patients.
Further, Rocos mentioned that robotic startups eyeing the health industry face several challenges, such as managing the rising number of robots, giving accurate support level, and enhancing cooperation among intelligent machines and healthcare staff and patients.
Check out below some robotic ventures that took a stand to answer to the pandemic.
Helping Drones
Drones from Shenzhen MicroMultiCopter (MMC) were sent to give reminders to put on masks, sprinkle antiseptic, and control traffic. Draganfly Inc.’s CEO, Cameron Chll, recommended using drones for detecting fevers through thermal imaging. Drones should stay un the air as long as possible nad be easily navigated and controlled just with one tender touch. One way to address these challenges is to find and use a qualitative and precise robotic actuator.
Drones and other machines from Antwork Ltd. are programmed to move supplies and cultures to labs. Meanwhile, XAG’s drones and robots are employed to decontaminate cars.
Disinfecting Machines
Among companies that supplied moving robots to disinfect areas, UVD Robots ApS is one of the first to employ machines powered by UV light. As the demand rises globally, the said enterprise is making ways to meet it.
The GermFalcon, a cart developed by Dimer UVC in Los Angeles, employs UV radiation for disinfecting cabins in planes.
In Wuhan, China where the coronavirus first broke out, 30 disinfecting machines were installed in hospitals by TMiRob based in Shanghai. Still in China, particularly in Taiyuan, a vehicle aided by a remote was used by local officials to disinfect residential areas as their way to minimize the spread of the virus.
Robots in Medical Facilities
As the virus is highly contagious, limiting contact helps in minimizing possible exposure. In response, several Chinese hospitals are employing robots for the delivery of food and health supply within the facility.
Healthcare employees in Wuhan have received food prepared by robots from Qianxi Robotic Catering. In Hangzhou, China, one hospital utilizes 16 Keenon Robotics Co. intelligent machines for moving food.
Moreover, robots provided by Siasun Robot and Automation Co. to Shenyang hospitals are developed to gather throat cultures. In Wuhan, robots from JD.com are also trialed for delivery.
Together with Cheetah Mobile, Beijing Orion Star Technology Co. has supplied robots that transfer supplies and carry out consultations at several hospitals. This step is deemed to help lessen the tension caused by the insufficient number of healthcare workers and cross-infection, as shared by the Cheetah Mobile chairman.
Robots from OrionStar are programmed to follow commands by a human, including gathering, recording, and transmitting certain data. While 5G-powered robots were also given by China Mobile and CloudMinds to a health facility in Shanghai to help medical personnel.
Spotting viruses at a distance is not yet possible with the current sensors we have. However, the application of AI to aid in analyzing the patterns of COVID-19 spread, developing vaccines, and obtain information for reference is continuous.
