Amazon built a roving robot to roam around warehouses and Whole Foods stores, emitting UV light that could potentially eliminate the coronavirus. This innovative solution could be a game-changer in the fight against the pandemic.
Using ultraviolet light technology, Amazon has developed a unique robot to eliminate the novel coronavirus. The robot looks similar to a luggage cart that you might find in a hotel but with a tall metal frame that supports at least ten powerful ultraviolet tube lights. The robot has already been tested in a Whole Foods store, rolling down the freezer aisle and targeting the virus on various surfaces such as food, packaging, and door handles. This technology could be incredibly useful in warehouses and grocery stores to help eliminate the virus and keep workers and shoppers safe. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed that the company’s robotics group has been working diligently to develop and test this new technology.
Kristen Kish said, “We have great ideas coming from all areas of the company.” She said, “Our Robotics group in particular has become an R&D lab for COVID innovation — first using machine learning to detect social distancing opportunities in our building, to now beginning to design and test disinfecting with mobile ultraviolet sanitation.” She added: “While these mobile units are not currently being used in any Amazon or Whole Foods Market locations, we’re excited about the possibilities and will continue to innovate to ensure that we are supporting our employees, customers, and communities.”
It’s no secret that scientists have been studying the effects of UV light on viruses for quite some time now. Their findings have shown that UV light can mutate the genetic material inside viruses and other microbes, rendering them unable to reproduce. It essentially means that UV light can kill viruses and germs. Researchers at Columbia University are currently exploring the effectiveness of a specific type of UV light, known as far-UVC light, against the novel coronavirus. The good news is that this type of UV light can kill viruses without harming humans, according to the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University. Businesses could use these lights to disinfect surfaces and the air if proven effective. However, it’s important to note that outfitting a store or warehouse with these lights could be quite expensive.
