The prototype of the mobile disinfection robot 'DeKonBot' from Fraunhofer IPA is an automated solution that independently cleans and disinfects potentially contaminated areas such as door handles, light switches or elevator buttons. Compared to manual cleaning, the use of robots reduces the risk of infection for cleaning staff and also ensures that cleaning is carried out reliably and traceably. The continuous use of the robot, even during the night, means that cleaning can be carried out more frequently than in manual operation.

DeKonBot' differs from other robot solutions available on the market in several ways: firstly, it cleans relevant surfaces directly and in a targeted manner and does not spray the agents to be used over a large area in the room like various other robots. This not only saves disinfectant and time because the area to be cleaned is limited to the essentials, but also prevents hazards such as slipping on damp surfaces or inhaling potentially harmful agents. Secondly, 'DeKonBot' can be used safely around people - unlike disinfection robots, which use UV rays to kill viruses, for example, and require an environment free of people for safety reasons.

In order for the disinfection robot to work successfully, it is initially trained in its new operating environment using a tablet that can be operated even without robotics expertise. In the first step, the operator drives the robot once through the environment, whereby the robot independently creates a map of its operating environment. In addition, the operator 'shows' the robot the objects to be cleaned and the cleaning movement to be performed: To this end, the operator guides the robot arm with the disinfection tool to the door handle, for example, and moves the tool as required for cleaning. The robot saves the path and can then repeat it independently.

Automatic recognition of objects in progress

The objects to be cleaned are currently still recognized with the help of so-called 'tags'. The robot positions itself relative to these small, black and white signs. In future, tags will no longer be needed. Instead, new methods developed at Fraunhofer IPA will be used to automatically recognize these objects in camera data. On the other hand, a 3D sensor was developed in the project that recognizes the objects to be cleaned and their position in space better than available sensors - for example, even if it is a metallic, reflective surface. Based on these recognition functions, the robot can automatically plan and execute the cleaning movements in the final expansion stage.

Machine learning methods make it possible to detect the objects to be cleaned in the room, here using the example of door handles in a hallway.

© Fraunhofer IPA

The prototype is the result of a joint IPA development by the Robotics and Assistance Systems, Laboratory Automation and Bioproduction Technology and Ultrapure and Microproduction departments. 'DeKonBot' received funding from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's internal 'Anti-Corona' program, with which it is carrying out comprehensive research and innovation activities to combat the pandemic.

The development of the service robot progressed rapidly: an initial feasibility study took place in April of this year, for which a simple spraying tool was used for disinfection. "Just four months later, we were able to put the robot with its new tool for wipe disinfection into operation - despite the restrictions that the coronavirus pandemic also brought for us Fraunhofer employees," explains Dr. Birgit Graf, Group Leader for Household and Assistance Robotics and responsible for the development of 'DeKonBot'.

The development of the prototype benefited from the institute's extensive preliminary work in mobile service and cleaning robotics. For example, the mobile platform of the 'Care-O-bot 4' assistance robot is used, which is already being marketed as a series product by a spin-off of the institute. Existing software modules for navigation, 3D object recognition and manipulation have been further developed for specific applications. The robot is currently undergoing its first endurance tests in the Fraunhofer IPA offices. Subsequently, employees of a cleaning company will test the robot in an external building. The robot will be further optimized based on these tests until the end of the project in February 2021. Measurements of the bacterial load in the disinfected areas will serve to verify the added value of the robot. In addition, the 'Mobile Disinfection' (MobDi) research project, also funded by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and starting in October of this year, will take up and further develop 'DeKonBot' technologies. In particular, new disinfection methods and tools as well as more complex detection and planning methods are to be developed within the one-year project period in order to be able to clean and disinfect in an even more targeted manner.