Robots could have been put to good use during and after the coronavirus outbreak. This is what researchers write in the journal Science Robotics. They pointed out at the end of March that the role of robots during pandemics needs further investigation.
It has now been a few months since American researchers wrote this and Scientias.nl featured the article on its website, but the topic remains highly relevant nonetheless. In the report, entitled ‘Combating COVID-19—The role of robotics in managing public health and infectious diseases’, the researchers describe the role they believe robots could play during the coronavirus crisis (and perhaps future pandemics). According to the researchers, robots could, for example, be used to disinfect premises, deliver medication and food, take the temperature of (potential) patients, and carry out border controls. As early as the Ebola outbreak in 2015, research showed that robots had proved useful in three areas: clinical care, logistics and reconnaissance. With the arrival of COVID-19, a further area has been added: the continuity of work and the maintenance of socio-economic functions. “COVID-19 has affected production and the economy across the globe. This highlights the need for further research into remote operation for a wide range of applications requiring dexterous manipulation – from manufacturing to remotely operated power or waste treatment plants,” the report states.
Disinfect
Robots are already being used in certain areas. For example, robot-controlled contactless ultraviolet (UV) surface disinfection was used because COVID-19 appeared to spread not only from person to person, but also via contaminated surfaces. UV light devices have proven effective in reducing contamination on surfaces that are touched frequently and rapidly. This is also cheaper and more effective than having cleaning staff carry out the task.The researchers also see opportunities in intelligent navigation and the detection of high-risk, frequently touched areas, combined with other preventive measures. They believe that new robots can be developed, ranging from macro- to micro-scale, to navigate through high-risk areas and continuously work on sterilising surfaces.
Also in the field of diagnosis and screening, we can make good use of robots. For instance, automated camera systems can be used to screen multiple people simultaneously in large areas and monitor their behaviour, for instance. Mobile robots can also be deployed in hospitals to monitor the temperature of patients in different parts vna the hospital. By connecting existing security systems with facial recognition software, it is possible to identify contacts of infected people to alert others who may be at risk of infection. However, it is important to introduce appropriate rules to respect privacy.
Testing
According to the researchers, it is even possible to use robots to test humans for corona. This involves collecting swabs and processing them. So far, finding enough qualified personnel to conduct the tests has proved challenging. Automated or robot-assisted nasal and oral swabs could speed up the process, reduce the risk of infection and free up staff for other tasks. Some people do not develop symptoms of the virus at the time of testing or do not even have it. In these cases, a blood test can be used to check antibodies and find any 'silent' infections. Automating the process of blood collection for laboratory testing can also relieve medical staff of a task with high exposure risk. Researchers are currently studying robotic systems based on ultrasound identification of peripheral forearm veins for automated blood sampling. Autonomous drones or ground vehicles can be used for sample transfer and for delivering drugs to infected patients when movement is not recommended. Finally, the researchers point out that robots could also have helped reduce loneliness for people in social isolation.
In short, the researchers hope that the coronavirus crisis can serve as a catalyst for the further development of smart robots that could be of great value during a pandemic. “Traditionally, robots have been used for tedious, dirty and dangerous tasks. Their first widespread use was in industrial applications, but – just as with the fight against infectious diseases – these are often environments that are less suitable for humans and more so for robots. Experiences from the Ebola outbreak have identified a wide range of use cases, but funding for multidisciplinary research remains too limited to address these use cases. Now, the impact of COVID-19 may stimulate further research into robotics to tackle the risks posed by infectious diseases. However, without sustained research efforts, robots will once again be unprepared for the next incident. By promoting collaboration between professionals in the fields of engineering and infectious diseases through dedicated funding, we can be ready when (not if) the next pandemic strikes.”
