Robot-Assisted Ultraviolet Disinfector with Dispenser for Healthcare Related Services

Abstract

Recently healthcare sector has attracted service robots to prevent the spread of infection. During COVID-19 pandemic, service robots have been able to reduce direct contact of front-line healthcare workers by separating them from direct exposure to infection. Robots have been used for delivery systems, disinfection of the exposed area, remote monitoring of patients, etc. In the present work, we have designed a disinfection robot that radiates ultraviolet C rays for UV sterilization of hospitals that kills 95.0% of bacteria within 20 second of exposure from a distance of 0.5 meter. UVC disinfection is more effective than disinfection by hydrogen peroxide, and with other chemical-based disinfectants like chlorine, chloramine, etc. Our designed robot can also be used as a dispenser in hospital delivery system for transporting medicine, laboratory samples, etc. Its use will not only increase logistics efficiency but will also avoid spread of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), healthcare associated infections, eliminate human error, and allow health workers to engage themselves in their higher priority works.