Using AI and Robotic Technology to Contain the Coronavirus

The coronavirus is a global pandemic that has many countries around the world shutting down. The first report of the virus was in Wuhan, China and it quickly spread to other parts of the world. China turned to technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, to contain the scourge.

Amid reports that China has managed to turn things around, the rest of the world is borrowing a leaf. Researchers and clinicians around the world are using data science, AI, and technology to manage the virus and find solutions. Here’s how:

·        Robotics Technology

Humans have to practice social distancing to avoid infection. Even passing items from one person to the next exposes you to infection. Thus, the incessant call to wash hands constantly or sanitize.

A robot is not vulnerable to infection; it is a machine after all. Hence, robots can be deployed to perform tasks such as:

• Cleaning and sterilizing
• Delivering food and medical supplies

The use of robots could greatly reduce human-to-human contact thus reducing the spread of the virus. Collaborative robots (cobots) could be used at home as well as in workplaces to perform cleaning and sanitizing tasks.

Robots that use ultraviolet light can be deployed to health facilities to sterilize surfaces and instruments. Robots work with precision and would ensure that every surface is sterilized.

Moreover, robots can easily takeover tasks on production and assembly lines to keep production up. They could be supervised by a single worker. This would keep your business running while ensuring that social distancing stays in place.

·        Artificial Intelligence

1.     It Can Track the Virus

It can be used to track the virus, identify patterns and find solutions. Tracking social media platforms and evaluating news from around the world helps to identify outbreaks. This makes it easier to fight them.

Additionally, it gets easier to sound a warning so that people who have not been affected can better protect themselves. AI also helps in researching solutions and preventive measures.

2.     It Can Diagnose the Virus

Artificial Intelligence can be used to diagnose the virus.  It helps the health workers on the frontline to not only spot but also observe the disease effectively. People have raised concerns that hospitals are turning them away when they go for testing.

The truth is many hospitals in countries that have reported multiple infections are overwhelmed. Without the help of AI, the situation is even worse. Artificial Intelligence helps to improve the speed of CT diagnosis.

·        Drones deliver medical supplies

China has successfully used drones to deliver medical supplies where they are most needed. It is faster during a pandemic such as this one. The drones are unmanned which is great as there is no human contact.

Drones can also be used to patrol public places and ensure that directives are being followed. They can expose those who are not compliant for action to be taken.

·        Develop Treatment Options

AI has helps to research the coronavirus in order to understand its makeup and come up with treatment options. Drug manufacturing companies use Artificial Intelligence to come up with drugs to fight pandemics and other difficult illnesses.

It has been used by these companies to research and propose the best treatments to combat COVID-19.

·        Identify Infected Individuals

Some of the symptoms of the coronavirus include coughing, sneezing, and elevated temperatures. Drones that are fitted with temperature detection software are sent out to public places where they identify possible sufferers.

This makes it easy to get people into treatment facilities in good time. It also reduces the number of patients who would stream into hospitals in search of treatment and testing.

Conclusion

When the world is faced with a deadly and contagious such as COVID-19, all measures to contain it must be taken. Robots have and will continue to play a significant role in managing this pandemic. They help to ensure that there is no human contact by making deliveries.

In addition, they help in the detection of the virus as well as ensuring that quarantine rules are adhered to.