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Egyptian Trials Robot That Can Test For COVID-19

Cira-03 can perform COVID-19 tests and warn you if you are not wearing a mask
Egyptian Trials Robot That Can Test For COVID-19
An earlier version of the Cira robot taking a swab from a volunteer

An Egyptian has invented a robot that can test people for COVID-19. The robot is currently being trialed in a private hospital in the northern city of Tanta, Egypt.

Mahmoud El Komy invented Cira-03 which he first debuted in an earlier version during the summer. The 26-year-old mechanical engineer has given the robot a humanoid appearance with mechanical arms and a human-like face.

Not only can Cira-03 perform COVID-19 tests, but it can also take a patient’s temperature, do blood tests, take x-rays and even warn people if they are not wearing a mask.

El Komy told Reuters, “I tried to make the robot seem more human, so that the patient doesn’t fear it. So they don’t feel like a box is walking in on them.”

“There has been a positive response from patients. They saw the robot and weren’t afraid. On the contrary, there is more trust in this because the robot is more precise than humans.”

Using a remote-control robot to take COVID-19 tests can help slow the spread of the virus by reducing doctor-patient interaction.

Aside from performing COVID-19 tests, the Egyptian robot could also be deployed in public areas, like airports and shopping malls, to monitor people’s temperatures and warn those not wearing masks.

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