Systems and methods for disinfection and sanitation of environments by robotic devices
Systems and methods for robotic disinfection and sanitation of environments are disclosed herein. The robotic devices disclosed herein may detect and map locations of pathogens within environments. The robotic devices disclosed herein may utilize data from sensor units to sanitize objects using desired methods specified by operators. The robotic devices disclosed herein may sanitize environments comprising people.
1. A robotic device, comprising:
an ultraviolet emission source configured to emit UV light to kill at least one of germs, viruses, and bacteria, the ultraviolet emission source is an attachable module configured to be attached to the robotic device;
and a memory comprising computer-readable instructions stored thereon; and
at least one controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
disinfect an environment using at least one of an ultraviolet (UV) light or a disinfectant spray;
detect, by at least one sensor, a human being in a path traveled by the robotic device based on sequential images captured by the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor coupled to the robotic device,
predict a path traveled by the human being by the at least one sensor coupled to the robotic device,
avoid directing the ultraviolet light or the disinfectant spray towards the human being by adjusting the UV light or the disinfectant spray if the path traveled by the human being is in the path traveled by the robotic device, and
change behavior of the robotic device upon detection of the attachment of the ultraviolet emission source,
wherein the ultraviolet emission source comprises at least two UV lights, wherein each of the at least two UV lights are configured to emit UV light on either side of the robotic device, the at least two UV lights are configured to disinfect objects adjacent to the robotic device while avoiding the human being.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to orient the robotic device such that field of view of the at least two UV lights encompasses objects or surfaces adjacent to the robotic device.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a plurality of cylindrical UV lights configured to emit UV lights in a plurality of directions.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
modulate the UV lights by amplifying or negating the UV lights,
enable direction of the UV lights,
change intensity of the UV lights, and
selectively turn on and turn off the UV lights.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises an articulated arm configured to adjust position and orientation of an ultraviolet emission source.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the robotic device comprises a plurality of extendable and retractable features configured to position UV light sources.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of extendable and retractable features comprise actuated portions of the robotic device configured to extend laterally such that the UV light sources are utilized to disinfect a surface including at least one of floor, countertops, tables, and chairs.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to, navigate the robotic device on a route along a trajectory, and utilize the UV light to disinfect surfaces of objects positioned along the trajectory.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
identify the human being along a trajectory traveled by the robotic device based on gait pattern of the human being, and
adjust emission of UV light upon detection of the human being such that the UV light does not interfere with the human being along the trajectory.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
selectively activate one of at least two UV lights coupled to the robotic device, the selective activation of a respective one of the two UV light source is based on location of object with respect to the robotic device.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the at least two UV lights are configured to emit light based on shape and size of the object.
12. A robot, comprising:
an ultraviolet emission source configured to emit UV light to kill at least one of germs, viruses, and bacteria, the ultraviolet emission source is an attachable module configured to be attached to the robot;
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable instructions stored thereon; and
a controller configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
update a footprint of the robot upon detection of attachment of a
sprayer module, the sprayer module being configured to emit a mist of disinfectant solution into an environment, the footprint comprises an area corresponding to a digital representation of the area occupied by the robot, the update of the footprint includes comprises an increase in the area of the footprint;
detect, by at least one sensor. a human being in a path traveled by the robot based on sequential images captured by the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor coupled to the robot,
predict a path traveled by the human being by the at least one sensor coupled to the robot, and
deactivate the sprayer module if the path traveled by the human being is in the traveled path by the robot,
change behavior of the robotic device upon detection of attachment of the ultraviolet emission source,
wherein the ultraviolet emission source comprises at least two UV lights. wherein each of the at least two UV lights are configured to emit UV light on either side of the robot, the at least two UV lights are configured to disinfect objects adjacent to the robot while avoiding the human being.
13. The robot of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to,
learn a route via user demonstration by recording motions and actions of the robot while the robot operates under manual control, the motions and actions correspond to the learned behaviors and include at least one activation and deactivation of the sprayer module at one or more locations; and
autonomously recreate the route by replicating the motions and either activating or-deactivating the sprayer module at the one or more locations.
14. The robot of claim 12 , wherein, the robot is configured to perform at least one of sweeping floors, vacuuming floors, scrubbing floors, or transporting items from one location to another while the controller is activating or deactivating the sprayer module.