UV Light Robotics for Plane Disinfection

Sounds like a good idea, how well does it work?

Swiss Robots Use UV Light to Zap Viruses Aboard Passenger Planes

Reuters,  Arnd Wiegmann; John Miller,  April 1, 2021

A robot developed by Swiss startup UVeya is using ultraviolet (UV) light to kill viruses aboard Swiss passenger planes in a test being conducted with airport services company Dnata in the United Arab Emirates. The UVeya team has built three prototypes of the robot, one of which co-founder Jodoc Elmiger demonstrated inside a Helvetic Airways jet at Switzerland's Zurich Airport. One robot can disinfect a single-aisle plane in 13 minutes. Dnata's Lukas Gyger said, "We were looking for a sustainable, and also environmentally friendly, solution to cope with [requests to ensure air travelers do not get sick]."

Disinfection Robotics in Retail

Another example of robotics addressing problems of today.

Ahold Delhaize’s RBS pilots UV disinfection robots

Ava Robotics technology aids COVID-19 cleaning in two distribution centers

Russell Redman 1 | Jan 08, 2021 

Ahold Delhaize USA’s Retail Business Services (RBS) arm is testing ultraviolet disinfection robots in two distribution centers to support stepped-up cleaning procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

From Cambridge, Mass.-based Ava Robotics, the UV disinfection robots are now being used in a pilot at Ahold Delhaize’s affiliated DCs in Schodack, N.Y., and Dunn, N.C. In announcing the initiative on Friday, Ava said Ahold Delhaize is the first grocery retailer to employ the technology .... " 

Spot Robot Does Disinfection

The perhaps obvious use of robots for disinfection is happening broadly, even with the much touted 'Spot'  from Boston Dynamics.

For Robots, It's a Time to Shine (and Maybe Disinfect)
The New York Times
Lisa Prevost
August 4, 2020

Demand for reliable cleaning and disinfecting technology has soared amid the current pandemic, and firms are promoting robots as cost-effective, compliant, labor-saving devices. Canadian startup Avidbots sells the Neo robot floor scrubber, which generates maps of a facility after being walked through it once, and clients then organize cleaning plans with the company. The Neo also uses artificial intelligence to avoid obstacles, and incorporates them into its maps if they appear the next day on its rounds. Other companies are devising more sophisticated cleaning robots, with designer Boston Dynamics developing a disinfecting solution that can be mounted atop its four-legged Spot robot. Meanwhile, the startup Somatic is engineering a robot to clean bathrooms using spray technology.  ... "

Robot Disinfecting a Food Bank

Would seem to be a very efficient use of robotics.  Considerable detail and video about the process at the link.

CSAIL robot disinfects Greater Boston Food Bank
Using UV-C light, the system can disinfect a warehouse floor in half an hour — and could one day be employed in grocery stores, schools, and other spaces.
Watch Video

By Rachel Gordon | MIT CSAIL