Since the pandemic began, people are focused on keeping their home and workspaces squeaky clean as an important step to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Hospitals and labs, especially, are meticulous.
Not every surface is easily reached. But a robot with an arm and six joints could make it possible, and without a single human in the room.
Doctoral student Shantanu Thakar was among a team of USC Viterbi School of Engineering students and engineering professors that suggested that a robot they had developed a few years ago might be, with a few tweaks, up to the task.
Named ADAMMS for “Agile Dexterous Autonomous Mobile Manipulation Systems,” the autonomous robot could open doors and pick up items to carry for people who would otherwise struggle to do so on their own. By adding an ultraviolet wand and robotic arm, the researchers found that the robot could also handle cleanup,…
