Development of a UVC-based disinfection robot

Abstract

Purpose

The disinfection robot developed by the authors and team focuses on achieving fast and precise disinfection under a given or specific disinfection zone. This looks to solve problems with traditional robots that pay less attention to the level, efficiency and zones of disinfection. To effectively support and guarantee normal running for the whole system, a digital twin system is applied to the disinfection robot. This study aims to achieve fast, precise and thorough disinfection via the developed mobile robot.

Design/methodology/approach

The designed robot is composed primarily of the following three parts: a mobile platform, a six-axis robotic arm and a ultraviolet-C (UVC) LED array. The UVC LED array is installed on the end-effector to achieve large-scale, precise manipulation. The adoption of all types of advanced sensors and the development of an intuitive and user-friendly client interface are helpful in achieving remote control, path planning, data monitoring and custom disinfection functions.

Findings

Disinfection of three different locations in the laboratory was performed; the dosage distribution of the surface as radiated by the UVC robot was detected; and feasibility of development was validated.

Originality/value

The developed disinfection robot achieved fast, precise and thorough disinfection for a given or specific disinfection zone.

Citation

Ma, Y., Xi, N., Xue, Y., Wang, S., Wang, Q. and Gu, Y. (2022), "Development of a UVC-based disinfection robot", Industrial Robot, Vol. 49 No. 5, pp. 913-923. https://doi.org/10.1108/IR-10-2021-0227