USING MACHINE VISION FOR FUNCTIONALITY EXPANSION OF MINI ROBOTS DECONTAMINATING MEDICAL PERSONNEL PREMISES IN CONDITIONS OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

Abstract. In case of COVID-19 epidemic spread the requirements for protection of medical personnel were increased. This category of specialists has exposure of high risk of COVID-19, due to inevitable numerous contacts with infected persons.

Because of this, existing practicable models of medical care are needed to be upgraded (Tavakoli, 2020). The emergency response path was implemented through the opening of new infectious hospitals, re-profiling clinics, as well as increasing workload on medical personnel. This approach is associated with the possible rapid drop-up of qualified medical specialists due to the illness, which is a strong limiting factor to respond to new threats of COVID-19 due to the risks of exhaustion of the human resource. In the worst scenario, a threat of collapse of the emergency and specialized medical care system due to peak load of severe patients under the shortage of doctors and support personnel. To prevent such an emergency, a complex of anti-epidemic events is provided, most of the purpose of interrupting infection contacts, isolation of the most vulnerable contingents, extended population testing for virus or contact with infected persons, this allows you to follow unwanted contacts with the subsequent mobility limitation.

Digital monitoring technologies with digitization of incoming data of significant events played the increasing role in all these options. Today they are complemented by robotic supporting. Due to the high risk of the infection in the COVID-19 spread, including the intra-clinic infections, the requirements for reliable disinfection of closed premises intended for patients and medical personnel should be fulfilled. At the same time, the following circumstance should be taken into account. When these work-time activities are imposed on the employee who is forced to stay long in an infected air environment, he is subjected to additional impact of pathogenes. To reduce these threats, robotic support for the work for disinfection of premises with automated air environment control and tracing contacts.