The UV-C Robot was launched at Porto’s airport

INESC TEC participated in the launch event of the UV-C Robot, which took place on December 10, at Francisco Sá Carneiro airport. The UV-C Robot performs the 360^o cleaning of closed spaces, using ultraviolet-C radiation, effectively eliminating all bacteria and viruses.

Designed by INESC TEC’s Centre for Robotics in Industry and Intelligent Systems (CRIIS) in the pandemic context, the development of the robot began in May, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, within the scope of the Research 4 COVID-19 initiative. Initially referred to as RADAR – Autonomous Robot for Disinfection at Hospitals, this technology is able to ensure the disinfection of several spaces at hospitals, airports and companies.

The robot has already been tested at the São Martinho hospital, in Valongo, but the technology was eventually licensed to DCSI PRO – Fernando Ferro & Irmão, SA, and recently tested and presented in an airport environment, under the trade name UV-C Robot.

During the disinfection process, the UV-C Robot remains still and, thanks to thermal reading, detects people, whether they are moving or motionless. When detecting the presence of people in the same space, the robot turns off the UV-C lamps. The robot can move at a speed of 1.35 m/s between the different locations scheduled for disinfection. In addition, and for the optimal use of the device, the robot allows selecting which surfaces ought to be disinfected.

Public presentation at Porto’s airport

The UV-C Robot launch event brought together a range of speakers who presented the features and applicability of this innovative product. In view of the current circumstances, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was broadcast via streaming.

Moderated by Carla Silva, Communication Director of ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, the event was attended by Fernando Vieira, Director of Sá Carneiro airport, Fernando Ferro, CEO of DCSI PRO, José Lima, INESC TEC Researcher and Professor at IPB, Luís Riquito, from the Automation Department of DCSI Pro, and Aaron Beeson, Director of Innovation at ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal, who joined this discussion online.

In addition to the features mentioned above, the robot’s autonomy was one of the aspects that led to some questions during this event. In this regard, José Lima highlighted the equipment’s easy installation process, as well as the simple and autonomous loading operation. As for figures, and according to a scenario including 600W UV-C lamps, the UV-C Robot has a battery life of two hours.

This 100% national and innovative initiative brings to the market a solution that could play a vital role in the safer reopening of commercial activity, thus contributing to a greater sense of security among all those who move around different spaces.

The live streaming of the event is available here.

The INESC TEC researcher mentioned in this news piece is associated with IPB – Instituto Politécnico de Bragança.

Photo credits: DCSI PRO – Fernando Ferro & Irmão, SA