Towards Mobile Robot Assisted Smart Containment

Abstract

In this work, we proposed an approach that enables achieving robot-assisted contagion-free public areas. Suppose a sign of contagion is detected due to sneezing, coughing, or droplets. In that case, the robot reorients itself towards the Direction Of Arrival (DOA) of the contagions and cleanse the identified HotSpot (HS) area. We utilized a ReSpeaker microphone array V.2 to capture the contagion's DOA. Assuming that the identification is carried out without a noticeable and disturbing change in the people's movement, the robot moves to the specified spot and performs cleansing. Therefore, we can set the goal of smart-containment (contagion-free spaces) of the room if the robot can continuously and efficiently identify the HS area and take those actions accordingly. Finally, we experimented with demonstrating the proof of concept. The result indicates that the proposed smart containment approach is achievable in a less costly way. Hence, we conclude that this targeted smart containment approach has an added value. It can significantly reduce the number of people infected, encourage people to travel, and help revive the affected economy. Overall, this work's practical implication is to inform end-users, policymakers, and robot developers to identify and appropriately develop mobile robots to advance society's well-being.