Robots are playing an important role in fighting the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic all around the globe. Robots are not only widely used in automated production of ventilator parts, but also directly on the hospital wards. Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, a UVD disinfection robot has been in high demand.
Chinese hospitals have ordered more than 2,000 UVD robots that are manufactured by Danish manufacturer Blue Ocean Robotics. The robots are already destroying viruses in Wuhan, where the global pandemic began. The units are operational in more than 40 countries in Asia, Europe and the USA. The UVD robot uses ultraviolet light (UV-C) to kill harmful micro-organisms. The robot is the current holder of the IERA innovation award presented by the IEEE and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
“We are now solving one of the biggest problems of our time, preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria with a robot that saves lives,” says Claus Risager, CEO of Blue Ocean Robotics. “The immediate demand has increased with the outbreak of Covid-19. Existing customers are buying many more units than before, and many new customers are ordering the UVD robots to fight Coronavirus.”
This is an ongoing success story with Blue Ocean Robotics seeing sales growth of more than 400% annually over the last two years. “UVD is a device that assists the cleaning staff,” said Claus Risager.
For safety reasons, it works on its own and automatically disengages the UV-C light if someone enters the room. The collaborative robot can be used in enclosed spaces and also works in environments such as office spaces, shopping malls, schools, airports and production facilities.
“Robots have great potential for supporting us in the current severe Coronavirus pandemic. They can support us in healthcare environments, but also in the development, testing and production of medicine, vaccines and other medical devices and auxiliaries. Disinfection tasks performed by UVD units in hospitals and quarantine zones without personal contact are making a huge difference,” said Dr Susanne Bieller, General Secretary of the International Federation of Robotics. The systems available from companies like Blue Ocean Robotics and the Phollower mobile robot from Photoneo are just two of many examples.