A new COVID-fighting robot has been unveiled in Bahrain which emits ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect public spaces and offices
The autonomous machine beams out short-wavelength UV that kills Coronavirus particles by disrupting their DNA in a process called ‘ultraviolet germicidal irradiation’.
Until now, a prototype designed by Fab Lab Bahrain has been tested in industrial environments in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports Innovation Centre.
Video footage shows the robot zooming between desks at a Middle East nation’s commercial facility while blasting out UV light doses that kill viruses.
The radiation emitted by UV light damages the virus’ genetic material and damages their ability to replicate, experts say. Most viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, are easily broken apart by UV rays and covered with a thin membrane.
Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at University of East Anglia, said, “That UV light inactivates SARS-CoV-2 is not surprising. UV inactivates most viruses very efficiently. Indeed, UV disinfection is widely used for disinfection of drinking water.
“Given the nature of coronaviruses we would expect them to be especially sensitive to disinfection by either hypochlorite (bleach) or UV light.”
It comes after Bahrain – which is fifth in the world for testing rates – has deployed two robots on isolation wards to help frontline health workers deal with the global health crisis that is going on.
The robots, speaking 12 languages, can monitor body temperatures, administer medicines, serve meals, and sterilise treatment rooms by beaming out ultraviolet light pulses. The AI-powered machines can also identify patients using facial recognition, and can respond to staff voice commands.
Dr Waleed Al Manea, from Bahrain's Health Ministry, dubbed the technology a “medical revolution”.
“We have started using the robots in the isolation and treatment facilities as part of the experimental phase to use AI in the health sector. It is certainly a new medical revolution and we want to see how this benefits patients and staff. This new technology will help doctors and nurses as they can evaluate the effectiveness of the robots and help incorporate them in their daily work,” he explained.
