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Robotics

Helpers you can rely on in a crisis

Dependable, robust and indestructible – service robots have been providing back-up to medical staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Unlike humans they don't catch the virus or get tired. This is a big help when it comes to containing the spread of the infection.

3min
Hildegard Kaulen
Published on 12. Mai 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a real boom in service robots. There are currently four types in use. Protection robots screen areas off, take people's temperature and remind them to wear a mask. Delivery robots transport food, laboratory samples and medicines. Care robots look after infectious people who could easily spread the virus. And lastly, cleaning robots help disinfect rooms and surfaces and prevent infection.

Cleaning robot disinfects an aircraft using ultraviolet light.

UV light kills the virus

Green disinfection robot in India.

Invisible danger

A delivery robot in Manila, Philippines.

Keeping a distance

An Italian pharmacy uses a protective robot to take its customers' body temperature.

Green light

In China it is common that robots are identifying people, recognizing signs of infection and disinfecting surfaces

On duty 24 hours a day

Service Robot helps the employees on the COVID-19 ward in an Italian clinic.

Bowed heads

In India care robots support nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Care robots

By Hildegard Kaulen

Hildegard Kaulen, PhD, is a molecular biologist. Following positions at Rockefeller University in New York and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, she now works as a freelance science journalist for newspapers and scientific magazines.

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