Using service robots to counter the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread in enclosed medical premises

Relevance. Spreading of the COVID-19 epidemic highlighted a number of new challenges related to protecting the health of first-line emergency and specialized medical personnel, as the high incidence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers can lead to risks of health system collapse. At the same time, in the interests of personnel safety, robotic technologies can be applied for heavy and dangerous works of air disinfection in enclosed medical environments.
Intention: To present current views on robotic air disinfection of enclosed medical environments based on the analysis of robot prototypes developed to counteract the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Methodology. Analysis of tasks related to maintaining a safe working environment for healthcare professionals was based on the description of the functionality and specifications of robots designed to decontaminate the working environment of medical personnel deployment. When systematizing solutions for robot design, the main criteria used were the selection of control modes (Automatic, Supervisory, Manual and their combinations), hardware for disinfection in the external environment and in premises, and features of Human-Machine interaction for the safety of robotic support in enclosed medical premises.
Results and Discussion. The features of using service (disinfection) robots are formulated based on epidemiological knowledge of the primary transmission routes and methods of disinfection of premises. It is shown that the tactical and technical characteristics of existing models of Autonomous mobile robots are mainly aimed at implementing unmanned technologies. Solving problems of massive processing of objects of the external environment, as well as vast areas of airports, stadiums, hypermarkets, warehouses, vehicles in a reasonable time involves automatic modes and/or Supervisory control of such robots by the operator in remote mode. The use of disinfection robots in enclosed medical premises requires additional consideration of the factor of introducing robots into the social environment. From these positions and on the basis of the selected prototypes, the prospects are considered for using a group of small mobile robots equipped with systems that enhance sensory and communication capabilities in the work environment.
Conclusion. Using robots to reduce risks of the SARS-CoV-2 contamination opens the way to improving the working conditions of healthcare professionals who are at risk of COVID-19. The proposed methods of robotic disinfection of medical premises also help reduce the mental strain of being in a dangerous environment by expanding robotic support for decontamination of premises and flexible response to changes in the environment

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