Kasetsart University recently received a trophy for outstanding research and innovation for the “new normal” and an effective response to the COVID-19 crisis from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The invention is called a COVID-19 Disinfectant Aerosol Robot, designed and developed by Assistant Professor Dr. Panya Lao-Anantana, Faculty of Engineering.
This robot reduces the risk to the operator of virus exposure and eliminates the need to wear PPE protective gear. Moreover, it can work twice as fast as humans. The remote-controlled robot has a camera attached to its body and can be directed via smartphone. The robot is small enough to enter elevators, and can be conveniently operated in high-rise buildings, in infected locations, or detention centers for infected people. In addition to spraying disinfectants, it is capable of mopping and cleaning the floor, which can replace up to three floor-cleaning workers.
The robot can be controlled with a VR camera and a remote controller with a maximum distance of 200 meters. The robot has a camera attached to its body to broadcast live and transmit images. Driven on large rubber wheels, the left-right pair rotates independently with a 24V 500W DC motor using a dry battery, transmitting power through the Worm Gear to the wheel at a high ratio, steering by adjusting the speed of the two motors differently. It can turn around with a radius not exceeding 50-60 cm.
