​Seoul adopts autonomous robots to prevent cross-contamination at COVID-19 medical center

SEOUL -- Seoul has adopted autonomous robots measuring temperature, sterilize negative-pressure wards and carry medical waste to prevent cross-contamination at a city-run medical center designated to treat patients infected with a novel coronavirus.

Seoul Digital Foundation, a think-tank funded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, said in a statement on Friday that Seoul Medical Center in eastern Seoul has deployed six autonomous robots to help medical personnel focus on the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The think-tank said that two robots deployed at corridors measure body temperature, two inside negative-pressure wards to sterilize equipment using ultraviolet light and the other two moving through wards to collect medical waste such as used hospital gowns.

Negative-pressure wards are used to prevent room-to-room contamination. The medical service robots will ease the workload of medical personnel by carrying out small chores without the risk of human workers being infected with COVID-19. Service robots assist human workers in hospitals and hotels.