A Robot to Assist COVID-19 Patients in Home Quarantine

Mukkudal Robotics members in Karamadai, along with three students from schools, reported to have built a robot to support those in self-isolation with COVID-19.

Many people have been infected with the virus and are being treated in hospitals as the second wave of corona spreads rapidly. But many of them are self-quarantined at home as well. Doctors encourage those who are isolated at home to have their own bedroom and not to contact anyone when they are being fed. This has become a matter of concern.

To alleviate the situation, the organization's CEO, S.D.R. Niranjan, and Secretary, Manikandan, designed the robot in collaboration with K. Viswath, a Class 11 student, K. Nithin, and S. Athul Krishna, Class 10 students, who came up with the concept in April and the machine was built in a month. It's built to run on its own with the help of a mobile application and other sensors. It has the ability to transport food, water, and medicine.

With a carrying capacity of up to 10 kg, the robot could help COVID-19 patients in self-isolation get meals, clothing, and medicines without the need for human intervention, according to Mr. Niranjan. It also had the arrangement to position a smartphone for clinical assessment with doctors. He said it could also deliver hand sanitizers to patients and disinfect a room on its own. The robot could be operated remotely, but it could also be configured ahead of time to perform particular tasks. He also stated that in the future, the system will be modified to carry oxygen cylinders to hospitals.