MIT scientists develop ultraviolet robot for automatic disinfection of space

Recently, scientists at MIT have developed a new short-wave ultraviolet (UVC) robot that can keep shared spaces free of coronavirus or other pathogens. As we all know, ultraviolet rays can be used to disinfect surfaces and neutralize aerosolized virus particles, but if they are irradiated on the human body, they can cause great damage to the skin surface. With this idea in mind, MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and Ava Robotics have jointly started the development of this robot that can move and disinfect in space.

Based on the Ava mobile robot, the two parties added a custom UVC device designed by CSAIL. The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the first deployment site of the robot prototype. In the experiment, the robot passed through the GBFB warehouse at a speed of about 354 meters per hour. At this speed, it can cover about 4,000 square feet (nearly 400 square meters) in half an hour and neutralize about 90% of coronavirus particles.

The researchers believe that this method can be applied to the automatic disinfection of various public environments such as factories, restaurants, supermarkets and schools. The robot's built-in system can map out a given space and is able to navigate between waypoints and other designated areas.

“As we work on this, we’re investigating new control strategies to enable the robot to adapt to changes in the environment, ensuring that all areas receive the appropriate dose of disinfectant,” CSAIL scientist and technical lead on the project Alyssa Pierson said in a statement. “We’ve made remote operation a priority, hoping to minimize human supervision and thus reduce the risk of additional virus transmission.”

UVC light is also sometimes used to disinfect hospital rooms and other medical facilities. The MTA is currently testing the possibility of using UV light boxes as a means of disinfecting subways and buses.

“We identified several algorithmic challenges during our experiments at GBFB,” says CSAIL director and project leader Daniela Rus. “We are now planning to address these challenges to expand the use of automated UV disinfection in complex spaces, including dormitories, schools, airplanes, and department stores.”