SINGAPORE-BASED startup Sesto Robotics has launched a robot that can efficiently disinfect facilities round-the-clock amid the Covid-19 outbreak.

Called SESTO HealthGUARD, the autonomous mobile disinfecting robot is designed to self-navigate and manoeuvre around tight places, while avoiding obstacles and people.

The robots, which are made in Singapore, are in production and ready for deployment.

Operators can easily set up cleaning missions, schedules and deployment on a tablet or laptop. This means they can conveniently change and update the robots' cleaning routine.

The robot disinfects an area of 100 square metres (sq m) in about 45 minutes. A mid-size indoor facility of around 100,000 square feet (about 9,290 sq m) can be disinfected within 24 hours using three or four robots.

Sesto said the robot provides an industry-leading utilisation rate of up to six hours on a single charge, auto-returns to its charging station when required, and can take a battery hotswap in less than five minutes.

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Responding to the growing concerns around environmental infection and community spread with the outbreak of Covid-19, the team at Sesto Robotics conceptualised the product in less than four weeks by integrating the disinfectant unit on its industry-adopted mobile robot platform.

The proof-of-concept was rolled out in mid-April. The startup said it received interest from parties including retail malls, bus operators, hotels and healthcare facilities. It is in talks with retail mall operators and other facilities management on trials and purchases.

The robot is equipped with six ultraviolet-C (UV-C) high-output germicidal lamps. Its UV-C light eliminates 99.9 per cent of bacteria, germs and viruses. At a 254nm wavelength, its short-length UV will break the molecular bonds within microorganisms, thereby destroying them.

A multi-nozzle sprayer with hospital-grade disinfectant targets high-touch surface areas.

Ang Chor Chen, chief executive of Sesto Robotics, said: "With Singapore stepping up the cleaning protocol to ensure the safety of all Singaporeans, this means higher reliance on a cleaning workforce which translates to a heavier workload and responsibilities for the cleaning team. SESTO HealthGUARD provides assurance to the operators, cleaning team and members of the public."

Other companies have also stepped up to aid in Singapore's fight against Covid-19. More than 200 UV disinfecting mobile robots made by local robotics firm PBA Group will be rolled out in shopping malls and the healthcare and transport sectors by the end of the year.

Singapore-listed firm DiSa has also launched a UV disinfecting autonomous mobile robot, and plans to make a smaller version for home usage.