Covid-19: Development of A Robotic Disinfection System for Covid-19

Covid-19：针对 Covid-19 的机器人消毒系统的开发

• 批准号: 550112-2020
• 负责人: Xi, Fengfeng
• 金额: $ 3.5万
• 依托单位: Ryerson University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=701266
• 关键词: Covid; 19; Development; Robotic; Disinfection

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken its toll on Canada and around the world, impacting and threatening our life. To curtail the spread, all levels of government have announced several measures such as social distancing, hand washing, and mask-wearing. One main route of viral transmission is through touching contaminated objects and surface areas because COVID-19 pathogens can remain infectious for extended periods of time from hours to days. For this reason, there is an imminent demand to find effective disinfection methods for public settings including hospitals and long-term care facilities. However, existing non-contact disinfection methods which are either chemical-based or UV light-based, are both hazardous to humans. To resolve this issue, the objective of the proposed research is to develop a non-contact robotic disinfection method that is safe to the operator. Specifically, two disinfection methods that are much less harmful to humans will be investigated: 1) blue light and 2) heated air. Two corresponding disinfection devices with computer control will be developed, tested and compared. The robotic system will consist of a moving platform, a robot, and a disinfection device. The goal is to have a quick set up at a target location for operation within 5-10 minutes. By using a robot to reduce the need for humans to be directly involved in non-contact disinfection processes we will simultaneously reduce health risks to workers who are currently exposed to hazardous environments and provide an efficient means of disinfecting and sanitizing public settings. This project will be conducted in collaboration with a leading Canadian robotics company (Engineering Services Inc.- ESI) and a medical professional with expertise in Internal Medicine and Toxicology. Developed systems will continue to be widely applicable for the disinfection of public spaces beyond the immediate crisis of the COVID - 19 global pandemic. The outcome of the project will therefore ensure public safety and wellbeing in this arduous time and for many years to come with long-lasting and significant impact in reducing risks for the spread of not only COVID - 19, but also other bacterial and viral contaminants in future.

COVID-19 的爆发给加拿大和世界各地造成了损失，影响和威胁着我们的生命。为了遏制传播，各级政府宣布了多项措施，例如保持社交距离、勤洗手和戴口罩。病毒传播的一个主要途径是通过接触受污染的物体和表面区域，因为 COVID-19 病原体可以在数小时至数天的较长时间内保持传染性。因此，迫切需要为医院和长期护理机构等公共场所找到有效的消毒方法。然而，现有的非接触式消毒方法，无论是基于化学的还是基于紫外线的，都对人体有害。为了解决这个问题，本研究的目标是开发一种对操作员安全的非接触式机器人消毒方法。具体来说，将研究两种对人体危害较小的消毒方法：1）蓝光和2）热空气。将开发、测试和比较两种相应的计算机控制消毒装置。机器人系统将由移动平台、机器人和消毒装置组成。目标是在 5-10 分钟内在目标位置快速设置并进行操作。通过使用机器人减少人类直接参与非接触式消毒过程的需要，我们将同时减少目前暴露在危险环境中的工人的健康风险，并提供一种有效的方式对公共场所进行消毒和消毒。该项目将与一家领先的加拿大机器人公司（工程服务公司 - ESI）以及一位具有内科和毒理学专业知识的医疗专业人士合作进行。在 COVID-19 全球大流行的直接危机之后，成熟的系统将继续广泛适用于公共场所的消毒。因此，该项目的成果将在这一艰难时期和未来许多年确保公共安全和福祉，对降低新冠肺炎 (COVID-19) 以及其他细菌和病毒污染物的传播风险产生持久而重大的影响。未来。