Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide robots and vehicles including a chassis, a drive shaft mounted to the chassis, an integrated steering column, and a set of proximity sensors. The drive shaft may be connected to a drive wheel. The integrated steering column may be operably connected to the drive shaft for steering the drive wheel. The set of proximity sensors may be mounted to the integrated steering column. The set may be configured to scan an ambient environment, where the set includes a first proximity sensor and a second proximity sensor respectively oriented towards each of the opposing lateral sides of the chassis.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for disinfecting an article. The method includes providing a disinfection chamber inside a cabinet. The disinfection chamber includes a tray moveable between a first position outside the cabinet for placement and retrieval of an article in the tray and a second position within the disinfection chamber for disinfection of the article. The method also includes manipulating, via a controller, a first germicidal assembly movably mounted to the disinfection chamber. The first germicidal assembly includes an articulated arm and a first UV panel mounted thereto, where the articulated arm is manipulated to extend the first UV panel in a first direction towards the article inside the cabinet for disinfecting the article.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for projecting UV light towards surfaces across a path. The apparatus includes a mobile body and including opposing lateral sides and a sagittal plane passing between them. The apparatus also includes a projection head rotatably mounted to the mobile body. The projection head operates to project UV light directionally towards surfaces located above and proximate to the opposing lateral sides, where the projection head is adapted to rotate about a horizontal axis in the sagittal plane while the UV light is being projected towards the surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a method for disinfecting an article. The method includes providing a disinfection container inside a cabinet having an opening. The disinfection container includes an ultraviolet (UV) source, a tray moveable between a first position outside the cabinet for placement and retrieval of an article and a second position within the disinfection container for article disinfection, and a barrier. The method also includes moving the tray (i) outwards from the disinfection container to pivot the barrier away from the opening for extending the tray to the first position and (ii) towards the second position to pivot the barrier towards the opening for blocking the opening to prevent access to the tray in the second position through the opening, and projecting UV light from the UV source on to the article in the second position until a disinfection cycle is complete.