- The virus, which causes a disease known as COVID-19, has spread to 169 countries, and the majority of infections and deaths are now outside of China.
- As the outbreak spreads, robots are being used to disinfect, take temperatures, and even prepare food.
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How China, the US, and Europe are using robots to replace and help humans fight coronavirus by delivering groceries, sanitizing hospitals, and monitoring patients
The coronavirus outbreak that originated in China has killed more than 17,000 people worldwide and infected more than 398,000, according to recent totals.
Around the world, robots are being used to minimize the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, by taking on cleaning and food preparation jobs that are considered dangerous for humans.
The worldwide death toll of the coronavirus disease that originated in Wuhan, China, is now more than 17,000, and the virus has infected more than 398,000 people. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared it a pandemic. The virus has disrupted travel worldwide, leading to flight cancellation s, quarantines , and other breakdowns in movement and supply chains.
Take a look at some of the clever ways robots are used around the world to slow the spread of the coronavirus and help healthcare workers.
In Wuhan, where the outbreak started, a robot spraying disinfectant moves through a residential area of the city.
China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Business Insider
Volunteers refilled the robot with disinfectant on March 3.
China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
Workers on scooters control the robot.
REUTERS
A patrol robot in a Shenyang, China, hospital checks temperatures and disinfects people and spaces.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
These robots are used at hospitals to cut down on demands on medical staff.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
Hangzhou, China, is yet another city using robots to disinfect large areas.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
They're controlled via remote control, and can be seen getting refilled here.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
Hangzhou's disinfecting robots look notably different from those in Wuhan and Shenyang, resembling miniature tanks.
Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images
Another robot disinfectant in Luoyang is remote-controlled and able to climb stairs.
REUTERS
Anhui, China has a fleet of disinfecting robots ready to start working.
Photo by TPG/Getty Images
This hand sanitizer-dispensing robot was photographed in Shanghai on March 4.
REUTERS
On March 11, robots in the Hunan province in China conduct morning temperature checks.
Xinhua/Chen Zeguo via Getty Images
Engineers have also modified the robots to record data, give feedback, and even disinfect people's hands.
Xinhua/Chen Zeguo via Getty Images
Immediate feedback can make the containment process faster and more efficient.
Xinhua/Chen Zeguo via Getty Images
Robots are being used for more than just disinfecting areas with coronavirus. A hospital in Ezhou has incorporated a robot chef into its kitchen.
Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images
The robot can reportedly produce 100 pots of rice per hour.
Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images
The robot operates without human supervision, which minimizes the number of people in the hospital exposed to the virus.
Photo by Shi Xiaojie/China News Service via Getty Images
Sharing food presents an opportunity to spread the virus, so some cities have been incorporating robots in food service and preparation.
Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
This robot delivered food to diners in Hangzhou.
Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images
Beijing-based Zhen Robotics says that its yellow robots are in demand to deliver groceries and patrol malls for people not wearing face masks.
Photo by Simon Song/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Engineering students at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok modified medical "ninja robots" designed for stroke patients to make them useful with patients who have COVID-19.
Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Business Insider
The robots can take patients' temperatures and protect the safety of healthcare workers by reducing interactions with sick people.
Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
They also have a screen, allowing doctors to video chat with sick patients.
Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images
Postmates delivery robots deliver food in Los Angeles.
Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Los Angeles is one of many US cities that closed all non-essential businesses due to COVID-19, and restaurants are allowed to stay open only for takeout and delivery.
AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
A hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa is using a UV light robot to disinfect the facility.
Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images
The hospital is using UV light instead of hydrogen peroxide, because it cuts cleaning time down from hours to five or ten minutes.
Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images
UV light also poses less danger to healthcare workers than hydrogen peroxide.
Photo by MICHELE SPATARI/AFP via Getty Images
Startup Asimov Robotics launched two robots to spread awareness of the coronavirus in India.
REUTERS/Sivaram V
They distribute face masks and hand sanitizer...
REUTERS/Sivaram V
...along with information about preventing the virus.
REUTERS/Sivaram V
A self-driving Starship robot drops off deliveries in Emerson Valley, Britain.
REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
The robot goes right to people's door, eliminating the need for contact between people.
REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
Belgian company ZoraBots made a robot designed for elderly people to communicate with loved ones from the safety of their own homes.
REUTERS/Yves Herman
The robot has video and audio so people can still talk while sheltering at home, keeping the most vulnerable people socially connected.
REUTERS/Yves Herman
See Also:
- Singapore is using a high-tech surveillance app to track the coronavirus, keeping schools and businesses open. Here's how it works.
- How to make group FaceTime calls with up to 32 people while social distancing due to coronavirus
- These 10 graphs show how iPhone downloads have changed as the coronavirus spreads