ADR - Autonomous Disinfection Robots

Q-Bot is the UK leader in applying robotics in construction and hazardous environments. Q-Bot's robotic system received BBA (British Board of Agrement) accreditation for an approved construction process in 2017, a first in the UK and, indeed, Europe. Q-Bot's robots are now used on projects across the UK making sites safer and more efficient. Q-Bot's vision is to adapt this robust robotic platform to keep UK's public spaces clean and free from infection.

The aim for this project is to enable regular and effective disinfection of surfaces in hospitals, care homes, shops and other public places (such as gyms for example after the lock down). This will not only help to limit the spread of infection by increasing the regularity of treatment but also remove people from the harm's way. Q-Bot envisages disinfecting robots autonomously roaming between hospital wards or supermarket isles, scanning and mapping the spaces around them, assessing the time elapsed since the previous deep clean or analysing the footfall to prioritise next targets.

During the immediate project Q-Bot will scope, research and design the required alterations to the robotic and mapping platform, research infection, breath residue and touch detection methods, research relevant disinfectants and their methods of application (and unintended consequences) in detail and simulate application methods on surfaces (including detailed CFD simulations of air/droplet movement of treatment, spray or jet application). Q-Bot will also digitally prototype, specify components and cost the above options integrated into a new robotic disinfecting system, together with researching the economic and investment case to ensure successful commercialisation post-project.