Robots Are Helping in the Fight Against COVID-19
A cylinder-shaped robot spins into a treatment ward to allow healthcare workers to remotely take blood pressure, measure oxygen saturation, and take temperatures of patients who are hooked up to ventilators. Another robot travels from one hospital department to another to disinfect the areas with ultraviolet (UV) light.
Meanwhile, there are also cart-like robots helping bring food to people who are quarantined in a hotel. Outside, quadcopter drones watch for stay-at-home restriction violators and ferry test samples to laboratories.
These are just some of the many ways of how robots are being used worldwide to fight COVID 19. Due to the pandemic, we are seeing more and more of these machines in action.
Drones and robots repurposed for disinfection
Robotics companies have scaled up the use of robots with aerial drones by converting them into disinfectant sprayers. In China, hundreds of these drones have been deployed.
Robots that help the world have also been developed by Avalon Biomedical Ltd to disinfect rail cars. Automatic cars are also being used for this effort. For example, Idriverplus made a street-sweeping robot to be used to disinfect high-risk areas.
Healthcare facilities add automation during the pandemic
In hospitals, doctors and nurses are using robots helping to interact with patients from a safe distance. Unique robots are disinfecting rooms, supplying prescriptions, and handling the extra work that’s associated with a surge in patients. Delivery robots are also used to transport samples to labs for testing.
In addition to hospitals, safety and public work departments are also using robots to spray sanitizers throughout public spaces. Drones are taking thermal imagery to identify infected people and quarantine restrictions.
Robots deployed in high-risk infection areas in Vietnam
In Vietnam, supplying home essentials and delivering medications in risky areas, such as hospitals, has remained an enormous challenge. Now, robots are stepping in where human beings should not be, and other automated machines are being used for risky jobs, such as sanitization and delivering medicine and food in many parts of the country.
Robots are also used in certain communities to broadcast messages about the virus and measures to fight it, such as social distancing.
Solutions for critical care and emergency care procedures
Research laboratories are now creating new robots, including one designed to help healthcare workers to perform mouth swab tests and take blood samples remotely. Not only that these prototypes have made a difference in fighting the current crisis, but they can also certainly help with managing future disasters, considering that robot research continues.
Robot deliveries help people avoid the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how robots are truly helpful in delivering food and other basic necessities in difficult times. Robots and other technological advancements, such as driverless cars, are currently keeping us out of harm’s way.
With robots helping, every delivery becomes contactless and social distancing comes naturally.
Automation to aid reshoring
It’s true to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in the global supply chains. Responding to the challenges in delivering supplies, more companies have started to reshore their production. And, automation has allowed them to make adjustments easier to cope up with the changing demands and mitigate supply risks.
Online Elmo software gives engineers remote machine control
Building complex and sophisticated robots are now more straightforward with the use of the Elmo Motion Control Remote Practice System (RPS). This online software allows users to run a motion control solution more efficiently.
Integrated into Elmo MC’s servo motors for use on any machine, this software lets users configure devices with a motion controller, DC servo drive, and the company’s studio software.
The impact of the current crisis will definitely drive further research on robots that help you mitigate the risks of infectious diseases, such as COVID 19. Without a doubt, breakthrough technologies, such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), will have an important role in how humans will live their lives in the years to come.
