Ajman University Engineer Invents Robot to Help Detect COVID-19

While the Novel Coronavirus has swept the entire world, an engineer with Ajman University (AU), has managed to invent a smart robot that can remotely detect COVID-19 in patients.

Eng. Mohamed Baloola, Deputy Director, Ajman University Innovation Center, said he has been working round the clock over the last two weeks to finish the “need of the time” robot.

According to Baloola, also a biomedical engineering teaching assistant, AU, the robot is designed to reduce the infection risk of this lethal disease.

“The robot, meant to distantly detect COVID-19 patients, is aimed to protect all workers on the front lines, mainly those in the health sector, against COVID-19.”

The self-operating robot can be run via remote control, while the data collected can be seen, and checked online all over the world, he added.

“The robot can be used in all airports, outlets, shopping centers, hospitals, clinics, universities, schools, metro stations, and crowded places.”

Eng. Baloola said the robot, operating on the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial intelligence (AI), includes a variety of sensors that can precisely detect COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, heart rate, temperature, and humidity.

“It is also equipped with a sophisticated thermal camera and two contactless temperature sensors that can detect body temperature up to two meters away.”

The robot further detects breathing difficulties with an SPO2 sensor which estimates the amount of oxygen in blood, he pointed out. “There is also one more sensor for detecting coughing.”

The robot, fitted with extra sensors for detecting heart rate, environment temperature and humidity, has a 360 Video Camera that transmits live video and provides enhanced bi-directional communication, Eng, Baloola explained.

“The robot, equipped with an auto sanitizer unit, an obstacle avoidance system, has an audio alarm system that helps observe the physical distancing due, while the AI-operated voice assessment system detects patients through their voices.”

AU Innovation Center, founded in 2016, translates technologies and ideas into commercially viable and scalable ventures, significantly contributing to economic development, job creation, and youth empowerment.

“The Centre has been playing a significant role in the rapid and sustainable growth of the national economy, Eng. Baloola said. “Social responsibility, entrepreneurism, and technology come together in AU’s Innovation Center.”