Robots are expected to demonstrate their value for "dirty and dangerous" medical tasks in the fight to quell the coronavirus pandemic, researchers said Wednesday.
An editorial in Science Robotics noted that robots can help with telemedicine, decontamination, handling of hazardous waste and monitoring compliance with voluntary quarantines.
"Historically, robots have been developed to take on dull, dirty and dangerous jobs," the researchers wrote.
"As epidemics escalate, the potential roles of robotics are becoming increasingly clear."
"Robots are here for taking some of those risks away from our people."
"New generations of large, small, micro-, and swarm robots that are able to continuously work and clean (i.e., not only removing dust but also truly sanitizing/sterilizing all surfaces) could be developed."