Robot ‘Tara’ to play key role in sanitising area
   Date :08-Nov-2020

Robot Tara_1  H
 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
UV 360 degree sanitiser module Robot (Tara) will play an important role in sanitising the area for controlling spread of novel coronavirus pandemic. As there is time for the arrival of a new vaccine, the robot has been developed for the sanitising of the premises. With the initiative of Shivaji University Kolhapur, ‘UV-360 degree sanitiser module robot (Tara) was developed and the e-inauguration was performed by Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut. Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Uday Samant; Industry Commissioner, Harshdeep Kamble; Prof Dr R G Sonkawade of Shivaji University; Director of Yutronics Technologies Pvt Ltd, Ratnadeep Kamble were also present online.
 
The constant research work on sanitising tunnels, UV-C Torch etc is going on for controlling Covid-19 and robotic technology could play an important role. The efforts of the entire team for the development of Robot are appreciated and public support for this innovation is needed, said Dr Raut. Minister of higher and technical education, Uday Samant appreciated the team of researchers for developing the new technology. The robotic technology is useful in sterilization of hospitals, hotels, commercial premises etc. Industry Commissioner, Dr Ratnadeep Kamble stated that this new technology could help the state. This technology is the combined effort of colleges, universities and the industrial sector.
 
Head of the Department of Physics in Shivaji University, Prof Dr R G Sonkawade had made special efforts in making UV 360 Sanitiser Robot (Tara) and it would help in the sterilization of Corona virus and similar microbes. The salient features of Robot include different sensors and artificial intelligence. In the presence of humans, it would identify the movements of humans and immediately stop the emission of ultraviolet rays with the help of PIR sensor. It also has an anti collagen sensor to prevent the damage in the room. It has a LIDAR sensor for measuring the premises for sterilisation.
 
The robot has a scanner which moves 360 degrees to decide two or three dimensional measurement of time required for sterilisation. The simulations for effective sterilization are provided by Asis Software Pvt Ltd and Cadfem. The Robot is weighing 20 kg and it could sterilize a room of 10x10 within five minutes. The 11 watt 18UVC tubes used in the robot could destroy Corona and other viruses. Under the guidance of Prof Dr Sonkawade, Aniket Sonkawade, Ratnadeep Kamble, Pavan Khobragade, Sameer Ramteke and team developed the robot. The robot is in Nagpur city and Vice-Chancellor of Shivaji University, Prof D T Shirke; Prof Mahendra Shirsath, Amit Kimatkar, Subodh Bhalerao and others were present in the inauguration function.