Cleaning and disinfection robot DeKonBot

»DeKonBot« is the prototype of a cleaning and disinfection robot for potentially contaminated surfaces in buildings such as door handles, light switches or elevator buttons. While other cleaning robots often spray the cleaning agents over a large area, DeKonBot autonomously identifies the surface to be cleaned. For this purpose, image processing methods as well as a newly developed sensor are used, which is even capable of reliably detecting the position of metallic and reflective objects. DeKonBot carries out a wipe disinfection of the relevant surfaces so that both possible soiling is removed and existing germs are killed. DeKonBot can be used safely among humans. To prepare the robot for its first usage, the operating personnel must teach the robot once. After that, the cleaning robot acts autonomously. The prototype is the joint result of the IPA departments Robot and Assistive Systems, Laboratory Automation and Biomanufacturing Engineering, and Ultraclean Technology and Micromanufacturing.