Autonomous swab robot for naso- and oropharyngeal COVID-19 screening

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has triggered a global health and economic crisis, necessitating widespread testing to control viral spread amidst rising cases and fatalities. The recommended testing method, a combined naso- and oropharyngeal swab, poses risks and demands limited protective gear. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed and tested the first autonomous swab robot station for Naso- and Oropharyngeal Coronavirus Screening (SR-NOCS). A force-sensitive robot running under a Cartesian impedance controller is employed to drive the swab to the sampling area. This groundbreaking device underwent two clinical studies-one conducted during the initial pandemic lockdown in Europe (early 2021) and the other, more recently, in a public place after the pandemic had subsided earlier in the year 2023. In total, 52 patients suspected of COVID-19 infection were included in these clinical studies. The results revealed a complete positive correlation between autonomous and manual sampling. The test subjects exhibited a high acceptance rate, all expressing a willingness to undergo future tests with SR-NOCS. Based on our findings, such systems could enhance testing capabilities, potentially conducting up to 300 tests per robot per day with consistent precision. The tests can be carried out with minimal supervision, reducing infection risks and effectively safeguarding patients and healthcare workers.