Autonomous Robotic Manipulator "ARM"
Our ARM will collect mucous samples for COVID-19 testing autonomously in order to reduce the risk of exposure of frontline health workers to the deadly virus.
Created on 1st May 2021
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Autonomous Robotic Manipulator "ARM"
Our ARM will collect mucous samples for COVID-19 testing autonomously in order to reduce the risk of exposure of frontline health workers to the deadly virus.
The problem Autonomous Robotic Manipulator "ARM" solves
Primarily, it will collect test samples for the COVID-19 virus thereby, eliminating the chances of COVID infection of frontline health workers and thus preserving their lives.
Further, it will prove to be a means of livelihood and employment to the numerous people whom the pandemic cost their jobs. Hence, our proposed ARM will aid the common man to survive the ongoing crisis financially at the very basic level of the societal hierarchy. Concurrently, it’ll strengthen the national economy that has been severely deteriorated.
Challenges we ran into
We were facing a problem in test tube placement using the ARM by Aruco tag detection. To tackle the issue, we made a custom Python interface file so as to move the ARM's end-effector holding the swab on the cartesian plane in accordance with the particular test tube holder used.
We were also having trouble attaining proper grip over the swabs using the ARM's claws. We came up with custom-designed swabs that fit in the triangular cavity on the end-effector. Thus, they are held steadily in place now.