Indy Entrepreneurs Develop Autonomous Cleaning Robot
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWhen COVID-19 hit, Indianapolis business owners Diana and Jason Brugh quickly came up with a state-of-the-art cleaning solution. Known as UVNinja, the autonomous robot uses medical-grade UV-C lighting to disinfect offices, schools and industrial space without waste typically created by traditional cleaners. The Brughs co-founded AutoBio Reduction and Diana Brugh says the robot, also known as Lux, will fill an essential need for safe disinfection.
Diana Brugh discussed the invention in an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
“UV-C light in itself, it alters a microorganism’s ability to and this product is intended to be used in a commercial and industrial space,” said Brugh. “We have had some really great feedback from the people that we have spoke to about it.”
The company says the UVNinja can be programmed for a variety of cleaning missions and can work without human assistance. The robot has the capability to interface with elevators and automatic doors to navigate facilities, multiple floors and sections, including areas that may not be cleaned due to security and privacy concerns. After its work is complete, the robot can return and dock at a charging station autonomously.
Brugh says she and her husband came up with the idea shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold in Indiana and across the country.
“We started around May when the pandemic was in full swing and our company is an essential business so we truly understand everyone’s hesitation of going back to work, going back to our regular lives in the fall as some children will be going back to school and little did we know that we would be using Lux for ourselves in our own business,” said Brugh.
Diana Brugh is a microbiologist by trade and her husband, Jason, is a robotics engineer who serves as director of engineering for AutioBio Reduction.
“Disinfection is an important, ongoing issue that is especially critical in today’s environment. While there are existing techniques, none available are as safe from human error, and none can disinfect with this level of efficiency or autonomy,” Jason Brugh said in a news release.
The company says, in addition to industrial facilities, schools, and office buildings, the UVNinja could also be utilized in other settings, including hotels, malls, retail stores, fitness centers, and concert venues.