A Custom Robotic Vehicle Prototype for Disinfecting Workplaces

Abstract

The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic has heightened the need for advanced and automated disinfection methods to ensure workplace safety and hygiene. This study presents the de‐ sign and implementation of a robotic vehicle capable of autonomously disinfecting high‐risk areas in diverse work environments based on human activity levels. The sys‐ tem integrates a machine vision module using YOLOv5 for real‐time human detection, a Decision Support System to assess contamination risks, an autonomous navigation module for path planning, and a user‐friendly interface for operator control. By leveraging real‐time data, the robot precisely applies disinfectant to identified high‐risk zones, dynamically adjusting the spray volume based on the level of contamination. The system was validated in a real‐world workplace setting, demonstrating its ability to autonomously perform targeted disinfection, offering a scalable solution to support workplace hygiene.