The Pharaoh’s Pride- Mahmoud El-Komy (Egypt)

CIRA-02: THE COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC ROBOT

At the Roboto Academy in Tanta City, Northern Egypt, 26-year-old Mahmoud el-Komy, a mechatronic engineer, tested a robot he had designed and invented to diagnose infection and post-infection medical care related to COVID-19. To the amazement of all in the academy, the robot worked with incredible precision.

Anyone facing Mahmoud’s robot, named Cira-02, will have their scanned results displayed openly on the monitor, which forms its chest. Cira-02 stands on four wheels, which also enhances its portability. Passing or standing in front of the robot elicits an automatic COVID-19 temperature scan. Cira-02 has sensors and a place to rest one’s chin for the COVID-19 PCR test. Should Cira-02 diagnose one as infected it raises an alarm to the health authorities. The robot’s right shoulder is configured to act as a barrier to block entry for those diagnosed as infected. Cira-02 is Mahmoud’s improved version of Cira-01 with upgraded sensors and rapid fever tests together with oral functionalities.

According to Mahmoud Cira-02 is suitable for use in public places such as airports, banks, railway stations and shopping malls. Roboto Academy is structurally designed at teaching children using robots and among volunteers who worked with Mahmoud were several teenagers. Mahmoud’s design is the pride of Egypt as the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has already offered to fully support Mahmoud’s Cira- 03 version and is giving him all the support he needs to develop robots and gadgets capable of detecting other emerging diseases.

By UNDP Africa Innovates: 50 Homegrown African Innovations Tackling COVID-19.