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UVD Robots said yesterday that the European Commission has awarded it a contract to supply 200 disinfection robots to hospitals across the European Union. The Odense, Denmark-based company said that its systems are being deployed in more than 10 European countries, with more to follow.

UVD Robots is a unit of “venture factory” Blue Ocean Robotics, which has also developed telepresence systems through GoBe Robots and patient-moving robots with PTR Robots. UVD Robots recently made the third generation of its robot available.

“We are helping fight the spread of COVID-19 while also strengthening prevention against hospital-acquired infections overall,” stated Claus Risager, CEO of Blue Ocean Robotics. “With this order, we are going even further to help protect healthcare staff, patients and relatives at hospitals at a critical moment.”

Disinfection robots proven effective

Blue Ocean said its UV-C robot is clinically proven to kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces and in the air in a patient room within approximately 10 minutes of autonomous operation. The company noted that other pathogens such as staphylococci or E. coli would require exposure enhancement or additional passes.

Numerous disinfection robots have come to market this year, with LG Electronics joining suppliers this week. In addition to its head start, UVD Robots touted its experience with deployments in hospitals around the world.

Sisak’s Dr.Ivo Pedisic General Hospital in Croatia deployed a UVD Robot in its 15 operating theaters. It found no evidence of potentially harmful microorganisms after disinfection, said UVD Robots. In March, the robot was moved to treat COVID-19 departments. Since then, only one staff member has since tested positive for the novel coronavirus, compared with 37 employees in other departments.

At Gruppo Poloclinico Abano in Italy, six doctors had been infected with COVID-19 before a disinfection robot was deployed. No cases of COVID-19 have appeared among doctors, nurses, or patients following deployment of the UVD Robot, said the company. Its robots have now been rolled out to more than 60 countries worldwide.

EC validates UVD Robots

UVD Robots said it was selected by the European Commission directorate-Generale for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology chose. The company said its tender ranked first in the EU Commission’s review of disinfecting robots, which evaluated technical excellence and maturity of technology, quality of approach in deployment, response time in technical support and maintenance, and overall value.

“With EU funds, the European Commission is buying 200 disinfection robots, which will be delivered to hospitals across Europe to help disinfect patient rooms,” stated Ursula Von Der Leyen, president of the European Commission. “We do all we can to support hospitals and patients in these difficult times. And more will follow.”

“We are thrilled that our UVD Robots were selected by the EU Commission, which we believe to be the largest order of service robots of its kind,” said Per Juul Nielsen, CEO of UVD Robots. “We were the first robot in this category and have set the global standard for autonomous UVC disinfection. An order of this size further validates the effectiveness of UVD Robots.”