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DOST-PCIEERD deploys 4 new techs to fight COVID-19

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As the Philippines battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) deployed four (4) new technologies developed by Filipino researchers to help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Ranging from robotics to logistics support, these are the four (4) local technologies

that provide frontliners with better ways to deal with the pandemic and help save more lives in the country:

The mobile disinfection chamber developed by USHER led by Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy to mitigate the spread of disease
 
1. GO-CLEAN Disinfection Chamber – Created by USHER Technologies Inc., a DOST-PCIEERD and Mapua University spin-off company, it is a mobile disinfection chamber that sanitizes the body of a person entering the enclosure. Proper protocols are designed in order to ensure protection of sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, and mouth from possible irritation brought about by the disinfectant mist. It can be installed at the entrance of hospitals and other establishments, and it provides sanitation thru misting of electrolyzed saline solution or Anolyte that takes up only to 5 to 10 seconds per person. Anolyte is a lethal disinfectant for bacteria and viruses but is very safe for people and the environment. It has been well known to scientists since the early 1900s and is produced through a process of electrolysis using only brine solution and tap water. The key component produced is hypochlorous acid (HOCl) which occurs naturally in the human body; white blood cells actually produce minute quantities of HOCl when fighting off infections.
 
The unit comes in single and dual chamber variants—the wet chamber for disinfectant fog and misting, may include a thermal scanner, automatic alcohol dispenser, rack for disinfecting materials and further development will include breathing pattern determination, and coughing detection system. The biggest advantage of GO-CLEAN will be its HOCLOMAC system that will allow the chamber to produce its own disinfection solution. This will be the 1st and one of a kind in the world.

USHER Technologies has already deployed a total of eleven (11) GO-CLEAN units at the following locations: i) four (4) units in Quezon City, ii) one (1) in Camp Crame,  iii) one (1) at the Development Bank of the Philippines (Makati), iv) one (1) at the Lung Center of the Philippines v) one (1) in Camp Aguinaldo, vi) two (2) in Santiago City and vii) one (1) at the DOST Science Heritage Building.

The group can currently produce around 4 to 5 units of their Go-Clean system per week. For more information, please visit their official Facebook page: @ushertechnologies, website:http://www.usher.ph/ and/or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
 
 
TrAMS+ developed by UP Diliman is an online needs and distribution tracker for Philippine medical supplies
 
2. Tracing for Allocation of Medical Supplies (TrAMS+) – In partnership with UP Diliman, TrAMS+ is an online geographic system developed for tracking information regarding health facilities’ medical resources. This system relies on crowdsourced and volunteered information that may be used by government agencies, donors, and other interested parties as a tool for effective response in distribution of the much-needed medical resources.

The project team will regularly update its database and display the daily inventory of hospitals, improvement of website features, design of mobile app, among others. For

more information, please visit their official Facebook page: @TrAMSproject, website: https://trams-up-dge.herokuapp.com/ and/or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

UST’s LISA robot allows virtual communication between medical personnel and COVID+ patients to prevent virus transmission
 
3. LISA Robot: Logistic Indoor Service Assistant Telepresence Robot – LISA robot, developed by Asst. Prof. Anthony James C. Bautista, PME, PhD, from the University of Santo Tomas, is a remote-controlled wheeled device that offers virtual communication between medical personnel and COVID+ patients by means of a computer, tablet or smartphone with wireless internet connectivity. Also, it has a box that holds the medicines for patients.

LISA robot has three (3) levels of automation - Level 1 is the most basic automation where the medical personnel can control the LISA robot through a handheld transmitter sending commands to a receiver; Level 2 automation allows the robot to be controlled over a WiFi anytime, anywhere; and Level 3 automation is based on Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) wherein the robot makes a map of the hospital and navigates through obstacles using 2D Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensor. While levels 2 and 3 automation will be implemented after the COVID pandemic due to limited resources brought by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), level 1 automation is low-cost, easy to build using readily available materials, and can be controlled by an operator at 5-10 meters away. The first model has received positive feedback from Dr. Emilito Santos of Pasig Doctors Medical Center and Dr. Marcellus Francis Ramirez of UST Hospital who tested the unit last April 6.

While the production of one unit usually takes 4 to 5 days, the project targets to produce at least four (4) units of level 1 automation for its beneficiaries including UST Hospital, Pasig Doctors Medical Center, Marikina Valley Medical Center, and

Binangonan Lake View Hospital. For the tech’s full description, please visit bit.ly/LISArobot.

 
 
Project RAMDAM serves as portal between community citizens and the government about relief distribution activities
 
4. Project RAMDAM or Resource Allocation Management, Distribution, and Monitoring – The system developed by Geographic Innovations for Development Solutions, Inc. (GrIDS) in partnership with DOST, is a COVID-19 initiative composed of a Mobile App and a Web Portal that could serve as a platform for residents and LGUs to share accurate information regarding relief packs and cash assistance distribution. The system aims to provide efficient data management and monitoring for the LGUs and feedback and request mechanism for the residents. The team field tested this innovation in some barangays of Los Baños, Laguna and is currently preparing the pilot testing results for possible nationwide implementation. For more information, please visit the Project RAMDAM Facebook page @ramdamPH or email the team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara expressed gratitude to Filipino researchers who worked tirelessly in coming up with needed solutions and moving with top speed.   

“Getting innovative products, processes and services in the hands of those at the forefront of the Covid-19 response is our goal as we make change happen through research and development” she said. 

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit is optimistic and extremely proud about the contributions of Filipino innovators who came up with creative ways to help our frontliners.

“We are facing a challenge like never before and we need to work together. Our goal is to take down barriers and bring the best ideas to combat the virus through science, technology, and innovations. The Council, through its partner industries, will persistently provide the same incredible support and ensure safety of all Filipinos,” he said.
 
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