Although chemical products are effective, using them to disinfect larger spaces can be expensive, dangerous, and time-consuming. Disinfecting spaces like corporate offices, warehouses, and other workspaces is an especially important task during the COVID-19 pandemic, but doing that while keeping workers safe can be challenging.
In this context, Ava Robotics launched an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection robot ahead of CES 2021. It uses UV-C light to disinfect surfaces and neutralize aerosolized forms of coronavirus.
Last year, in collaboration with the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Greater Boston Food Bank, the company came up with the UV Disinfection Robot that powerfully disinfects surfaces. As organizations like LG and others make plans to enter the UV robotic market, Ava moved quickly from a research project to a commercial launch to get disinfection robots to businesses in need.
The UV Disinfection Robots clean both air and surfaces and promote employee and customer confidence by managing workplace cleaning needs, including disinfecting for COVID-19. The robot is initially operated by a remote user and subsequently operates autonomously. It can disinfect approximately 9,000 square feet of warehouse space in an hour, with 99% effectiveness against COVID-19.
Additionally, it integrates screens and speakers for disinfection-related announcements, and the technology offers easy integration with cleaning best practices and current protocols. The robot works when no people are around, which is good given that UV-C light, while effective at killing viruses and bacteria on surfaces and aerosols, is not safe for human exposure.
“With this timely expansion of our technology, we are bringing an intelligent UV disinfection robot with autonomous mobility to a market in great need,” said Youssef Saleh, co-founder, and CEO of Ava Robotics. “Businesses must make employees, customers – and really anyone coming into their place of work – feel confident that all that can be done to keep them safe and healthy is being done.“
The company is now accepting pre-orders for its newly launched ultraviolet (UV) disinfection robot to manage COVID-19-related and other cleaning needs. Ava’s UV robots are expected to become widely available and ship in early Q2, 2021. The robots have been piloted at other organizations, including Steelcase and Boston City Hall.
