OMRON and ICA Traffic present the first UV disinfection solution "Made in Germany"
HERO21 is based on the LD autonomous mobile robot from OMRON for maximum efficiency. Mobile robot moves autonomously and quickly through the rooms to be disinfected.
The corona pandemic has skyrocketed the interest and need for smart disinfection solutions. With the HERO21, Dortmund-based ICA Traffic GmbH is now offering an innovative and efficient technological approach: The mobile device is the first UV-C disinfection solution of its kind that was developed and built in Germany and that offers a nationwide service infrastructure. The disinfection unit with ultraviolet (UV) light in mounted on an LD mobile robot from OMRON. Other European countries are already using UV disinfection in many areas. However, the German market still has a lot of catching up to do.
UV robots are more efficient than traditional disinfection methods
Conventional disinfection methods such as wiping and scrubbing are often inadequate and can even promote resistant germs. With the help of UV light, on the other hand, bacteria, germs and viruses can be killed much more efficiently - especially on surfaces and in areas of public life that cannot be continuously cleaned with disinfectants. In addition to hospitals, specific application examples include drinking water treatment, the disinfection of ventilation systems or food production.
In combination with mobile robots, UV light disinfection can be carried out automatically, precisely, quickly and efficiently. In this regard, automation expert OMRON relies on cooperation with experienced partners such as ICA Traffic, who mount their UV technology onto OMRON's LD mobile robots. The HERO21 was developed together with the Ruhr University Bochum. It can be used in medical environments as well as in other areas, to disinfect rooms, protect employees and thus significantly reduce the risk of infection. A disinfection level of 99.99 percent is achieved with a coverage of 360 degrees.
Disinfection quality meets personal safety
The robot moves autonomously through the rooms to be disinfected. If the device is switched on, it can be driven into contaminated rooms via an application on a tablet without employees having to enter the rooms. The HERO21 scans and saves all room data. Its special sensor system detects whether someone is still in the room. In this case, the robot does not activate the light, but sends a warning message to the tablet. During the disinfection process, its sensors can detect whether a person is opening the door, for example - and will switch off the UV-C unit. This focus on disinfection performance paired with personal safety also distinguishes the HERO21.
Three and a half hours of continuous disinfection
Steffen Kriege, Sales Manager at ICA Traffic, explains: “Our robot also has all the relevant certifications and is very reliable. The German market is particularly demanding here. After a short warm-up phase, it can disinfect for up to 3.5 hours without interruption. This corresponds to around 14 rooms of 25 square meters in less than ten minutes per room. The charging time is just two hours."
The company's high quality standards were also decisive when choosing the technology partner: "We chose OMRON because we got the best overall package here. Performance and quality have convinced us just as much as the price and the regional partnership with local contacts. Our functional and harmonious design ideas can also be best implemented with OMRON: UV unit and robot should form a good unit,” Kriege comments.
Kai-Uwe Freyer, Field Sales Engineer Automation and Drives at OMRON, adds: “The HERO21 combines functionality, safety and design. The solution looks like it was made from one piece. We are pleased that OMRON was able to support this important project with our know-how."
The first HERO21 robots “powered by OMRON” are to be delivered in October.