STERY – Portable and agile autonomous disinfection robot

Project dates

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Full title of the project:
Portable and agile autonomous disinfection robot

Short name of the project:
STERY

Date of the award:
27/06/2020

Project duration:
8 weeks

Company:
MetraLabs

Country:
Germany

Company Website:
http://www.metralabs.com/

Abstract

STERYBOT – Efficient, autonomous disinfection robot using germicidal UV-C light

COVID-19 is a global problem affecting millions of people. To reduce the likelihood of infection and the spread of SARS-CoV-2, both clinical areas as well as public spaces require disinfection. MetraLabs GmbH, Germany, develops STERYBOT, an autonomous disinfection robot that incorporates UV-C disinfection lamps. The 360° wide ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) eliminates up to 99.99% of viruses, especially SARS-CoV-2, bacteria and spores by denaturation of their RNA, and DNA, respectively, to stop their replication. Critical deterioration of sensitive surfaces on medical equipment is avoided.

STERYBOT maneuvers even in cramped areas given its slim size and it explores the operating environment completely by itself: STERYBOT derives the optimal routes inside the room to be disinfected independently and in such a way that as many surfaces as possible (floors, shelves, walls, ceilings, doorknobs, light switches, room air itself, etc.) are sufficiently well reached by UC-C-light. Disinfection is, of course, carried out without people in the room. For additional safety, the robot detects people and immediately switches off the UV radiation. The stainless-steel housing with an antimicrobial coating and UV-C illuminated wheel surfaces prevents the transmission of germs by the robot itself.

When the decontamination job is completed, STERYBOT automatically returns to its charging station and is ready for the next run after ca. 3 hours of charging. Integrated functional safety sensors and functional safety drive system allow STERYBOT to appropriately cope with dynamic obstacles and people who share the same environment (while UV-C light is switched off). The navigation software is optimized over ten thousands of miles to ensure a reliable localization and driving. The robot installation, as well as configuration of areas to be disinfected and operating times can be easily carried out by the user through a smartphone app.

Within the STERY DIH-HERO-project we aim for reaching technology readiness level 8, starting with our current UV-disinfection robot prototype at TRL 6. For the preparation of ramp up of serial production (TRL 9) we currently work as well on establishing a solid supply-chain for the critical components of the disinfection robot. All planned project steps and milestones are laid out for fast market availability of STERYBOT.

Major project results and impact created by the disinfection robot offering high power-density UV and autonomous charging at the provided docking station:

• Effectiveness of delivered UVC dose;
• A mobile app for disinfection configuration

YouTube:  https://youtu.be/BtO-TRv978Y