LG to release robot with disinfecting UV light

LG Electronics have developed an autonomous robot that uses ultraviolet light to disinfect public areas. 

Combining its core competencies in robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, the robots are intended for hospitality, education, corporate, retail, restaurant, and transport customers, and will launch in the US in early 2021. 

LG are hoping the new robots will enable a new standard of hygiene by helping to disinfect high-touch, high-traffic areas, and thereby helping to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

The robots have been designed to move easily around tables, chairs and other furniture, irradiating a room’s touchable surfaces in 15 to 30 minutes, disinfecting multiple areas using a single battery charge.

Creators at LG say they are easy to operate, and don't require extensive staff training or specialists to operate. Staff will be able to monitor progress via remote updates to smartphones or tablets. 

Additionally, employee exposure to UV rays will be minimised through a built-in safety lock that is activated by human motion detection sensors, pressing an emergency stop button, or via the mobile app.  

“We hope LG’s first UV disseminating robot will give our customers, and in turn their customers, peace of mind,” explained Michael Kosla, vice president, LG Business Solutions USA. “Whether it’s hotel guests, students in classrooms or patrons of restaurants and other businesses, they can rest assured that the LG autonomous UV robot will help reduce their exposure to harmful bacteria and germs.

“A higher level of disinfection is going to become the new customer expectation in the new contactless economy where we now all live, work, learn and play” he added. “LG is bringing to bear its expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles for creative solutions like this to meet specific customer requirements.”