Robots and drones join the battle against virus

Medics test a disinfection robot in a quarantine ward in a local hospital in Qingdao of East China’s Shandong province . [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

High-tech products, such as drones and robots, are being deployed to fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic since the outbreak began.

A technology company based in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, donated 30 disinfection robots to six hospitals in Qingdao and neighboring city Rizhao. The robots are expected to be used in 20 more hospitals in the province.

The one-meter–tall and two-wheeled droid, shaped like a small refrigerator, navigates quarantine wards autonomously and sprays disinfectant.

The robot has a specially designed sprayer and can perform multiple forms of disinfection in almost every corner of quarantine wards, according to Fang Ke, chief operating officer of Qingdao Webull Intelligent Technology Co Ltd, manufacturer of the robot.

Lu Yun, director of general surgery of the Hungdao Campus of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, where the robot was first used on Jan 31, applauded the move.

"Intelligent robotic products can effectively replace doctors and nurses in some work, thus reducing their chance of being infected," Lu said.

The Qingdao municipal government has called on artificial intelligence enterprises to help battle the epidemic.

Qingdao Tosun Intelligent Technology Inc has also developed a kind of robot which can help maintain access control and temperature detection on passersby.

If it detects someone with an abnormal body temperature, the robot will sound the alarm and report to security personnel, according to the developer.

In Qingdao's Huangdao district, also known as Qingdao West Coast New Area, drones are used to carry out disinfection at residential communities.

A drone can carry about 10 kilograms of disinfectant, with a spraying area of 5,000 square meters per load.