“I still remember it was on the eve of the Lunar New Year, when we learned that the government would adopt a containment strategy. I discussed with Mark (Co-founder and CTO of Roborn, Mark Mak) about how during the SARS outbreak in 2003, we needed to do temperature screenings, but the handheld thermometers required people to be close together and stand in line, which posed a high risk of transmission.”
As a result, the team developed the 5G temperature-monitoring robot PEP3000 in just 15 days. Professor Larry Poon, Co-founder of Roborn, introduced the robot, explaining that it can move around and simultaneously detect the temperature of multiple people using infrared sensors. It is suitable for locations such as airports, cruise ships, and care homes. He described that while commercialization focuses on operational efficiency, “technological ecology” considers its social benefits. He mentioned, “The first two PEP3000 robots were donated to international organizations and local non-profit charities.” Later, the epidemic prevention robot was also adopted by several government departments, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Correctional Services, the Fire Services Department, and the Transport Department’s Admiralty Licensing Center.
As the local community spread of the virus continued, the company deployed the 700mm-wide UVC (ultraviolet) disinfection robot Unicorn. Professor Poon revealed, “The robot has strong mobility and, under operator control, can flexibly move into various areas, such as cargo lifts, back alleys, and garbage rooms, completing disinfection in just a few minutes without leaving any liquid residue.” Unicorn has been rented to shopping malls, office buildings, insurance companies, and medical centers for disinfection purposes. He pointed out that while there are many similar robots abroad and in mainland China, the mobility of Unicorn sets it apart. The company is headquartered in Cyberport, with a research and development team of around 20 people, and the robot assembly is also done in Hong Kong. Professor Poon emphasized that the company’s strategy is to remain flexible and adapt to the market.
Roborn is also involved in activities led by the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to promote local scientific research products in the ASEAN region and expand into the Belt and Road market. “We are doing business matching in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, introducing PEP3000 and Unicorn,” he said. The company will also participate in upcoming exhibitions organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to showcase its outdoor disinfection robots.
Source: 頭條日報