Battling the Coronavirus with UV Lighting

Mobile Robots combat Viruses

OMRON’s mobile robot is fully integrated with ControlTec’s UV-C lamps and disinfects faster than traditional solutions keeping your staff, customers, patients, and visitors safe. © ControlTec

Sanitizing has become an increased area of concern, especially in highly populated areas. These places include restaurants, hospitals, hotels, airports, and schools to name a few. Because of this, we are seeing more and more companies and institutions turning to automation for disinfecting rooms and public spaces.

OMRON and its partners across the world have joined forces to automate the disinfection processes. OMRON is working with its non-factory automation customers to address the growing demand for disinfectant robots. Some of OMRON’s partners are systems Integrators such as ControlTec, DoF Robotics, Techmetics, and Sir Steward.

To address this problem, most hospitals and restaurants will have employees manually wipe down and disinfect high-touch areas. This is problematic, considering there is always the threat of employees contacting the virus, and research has shown that not all high-touch areas tend to be cleaned.

However some companies have requested the assistance of mobile robots to help combat the virus.

Benefits UV-C

Ultraviolet light has been used has an effective solution to killing harmful bacteria, viruses in hospitals for decades. The UV-C light has been previously used to combat other coronaviruses such as SARS, MERS, and as well as the Ebola virus. This method of cleaning is thorough, faster and less labor intensive than manual cleaning.

UV-C also reduces the need to clean with powerful chemicals. You can simply use non-harmful soap and water for the cleaning and then rely on UV-C for a chemical free disinfection. An issues that chemicals pose is being corrosive on certain surfaces. Additionally, powerful chemicals should only be used in areas that are well ventilated.

Automating UV-C

Mobile robots mounted with ultraviolet (UV) light attachments are ideal for disinfecting hospital rooms, shopping centers and other public spaces. The automation of disinfection with ultraviolet light improves health and safety, thus contributing to the fight against COVID-19. Mobile robots are ideal to be used with the UV lamps, which are not safe for humans to operate.

Utilizing Omron’s LD Series mobile robot, UV-C lighting structures can be integrated onto the robot. The robot then navigates autonomously throughout the hospital, hotel, and other areas of public gatherings. With no humans present, the robot can work uninterrupted and autonomously for up to 8 hours. The robot can locate a charging station and self-charge when the battery is running low. It only take 3.5 hours to fully charge one robot. New software updates can also be easily implemented, thus increasing the productivity and efficiency of the robot.

The customer has the ability to operate a fleet of robots, which sets OMRON’s mobile robots apart from other solutions. Multiple mobile robots can operate within a facility as a fleet thanks to OMRON’s fleet management software.

The OMRON LD Series autonomous mobile robots are ideal for disinfecting various areas, as unlike traditional AGVs, they navigate the natural features of the area and require no expensive facility modification. The robots are equipped with safety lasers and other sensors, allowing them to detect obstacles and prevent collisions.

Orders for OMRON’s UV-C lighting solution have been requested from customers located all over the globe. Globally OMRON is using its innovative technology to help prevent the spread of the SARS-COV-2 virus.

Bruno Adam, Mobile Robots General Manager at OMRON Europe comments: “The pandemic poses huge challenges for many companies and institutions. Many of them have realized that automated processes, innovative robotics and technologies such as UV disinfection can provide them with valuable support in coping with this challenge. Such applications relieve the burden on employees while improving safety and meeting regulations. OMRON’s experts and partners can provide comprehensive information and advice on which technology is best suited for which field of application.”