Robots to contribute to new Ebola-fighting efforts

Robots to contribute to new Ebola-fighting efforts

Posted by admin on Oct 21, 2014 at 10:02 am America/Chicago

As fears continue to grow over the recent outbreak of Ebola, scientists and researchers in the U.S. are hoping to develop a strategy for combating the virus' spread through the use of robots and autonomous vehicles. November 7th will see workshops put together by the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue that brings robotocists together with members of the medical and humanitarian aid communities to hopefully find a solution. The initial idea is that depending on the situation, robots can be used as mobile interpreters, methods of delivery for much-needed supplies such as medicine and food, and even during the most dangerous of tasks like decontamination or burying deceased victims. "What are the things robotics can do to help?" poses Robin Murphy, a robotics professor at Texas A&M University, as well as the director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue. One idea put forward by a robotics engineer is to take a wheeled robot and attach two decontamination sprayers, and then have it work in places where the virus has been found, or on cleaning equipment. What is being stressed leading up to the workshops is that robots are not act as full replacements for human aid workers. The goal is to minimize workers' contact, but for every piece of technology put to use, there should still be a human to interact with. For more information, visit slasher.com

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