Egyptian engineer invents robot for Covid-19 diagnosis

An Egyptian engineer has invented a robot at his Roboto Academy for the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection and post-infection medical care.

The 26-year-old mechatronic engineer Mahmoud el-Komy dubbed his robot Cira 02.

The effeminate robot is all white, with a monitor on the chest that displays scan results of anyone facing it.

It also has several sensors and a chinrest for a physical sample to be taken for a COVID-19 PCR test.

It is enough for a person to pass or stand in front of Cira 02 to be scanned for body temperature, and hear in the robot’s voice if his temperature is normal or if he is suspected of being infected with COVID-19 respiratory disease.

The no-entry barrier on the right shoulder of Cira 02 acts as a gate guard that will not allow a person suspected of infection to go through.

The structure of Cira 02, a development of older Cira 01 version, is composed of assembled pieces made by a 3D printer invented by the Egyptian engineer.

"Cira 01 had limited abilities, but Cira 02 has better sensors for faster fevering tests and oral communication to give advice, being a gate guard to protect vital places from infected visitors," el-Komy told Xinhua.

Cira 02 can be used in crowded places, such as banks, airports and stations. It can also disinfect the place when it recognizes an infected or possibly infected person through face recognition, according to the Egyptian engineer.

"In case of infection or suspected infection, it sounds an alarm and reports the person to concerned authorities," el-Komy explained.

Standing and moving on four wheels, fully autonomous Cira 02 is supplied with IoT (Internet of Things), a remote-control system through which the robot can be controlled from anywhere in the world via an internet link that can be sent to anyone by the inventor.

"It has always been my dream since childhood to see Egypt as a technology exporting country rather than a technology consumer," the Egyptian robot inventor concluded.

The creative young man's efforts did not go in vain, for his robot was welcomed by the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

Designed for teaching children robotics, the Roboto Academy is full of tools and electronic accessories, with posters of robots and scientific shapes and phrases hanging on its walls.

Abdel-Rahman Hossam, a 16-year-old high school student, is one of two creative boys who have worked as el-Komy's assistants during his invention of Cira versions.