REPORTAGE
Why not use a robot to disinfect certain premises contaminated by the coronavirus? In Marseille, it's already a reality. Marius, a prototype unique in France, is currently used by the battalion of firefighters. This robot makes it possible to clean everything, thus avoiding the risk of infection for cleaning staff. Barracks, military buildings ... For the moment, the device is used on strategic sites, but the concept could give ideas to certain large companies.
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20,000 square meters in three hours
The robot, mounted on remote-controlled tracks, weighs 500 kg, easily climbs the stairs and manages to slip into the corridors. All alone, Marius is able to treat an area of 20,000 square meters in three hours, thanks to his 12 sprayers connected to the 50-kilo tank filled with disinfectant which he carries on his back.
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Marius' function is to act massively on contaminated sites, such as the aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle. "The goal is not to take the place of cleaning companies," said Lieutenant-Commander Hubert of the Marine Firefighter Battalion. "We are operational without delay and at the request of a municipal authority or the prefect, we will be able to hire the robot which will be able to move quickly to the scene of the intervention in the event of contamination with Covid-19", he continues. .
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Disinfectant, but also fire-fighting robot
When an infected person touches a surface, the virus can remain present for several hours or even days. "Marius will therefore enter a range of options made available to firefighters to treat surfaces," says Captain Hubert, who specifies that Marius will be joined in September by a little brother, César. Both made in France, the robots can be recycled after the health crisis to fulfill other missions. For example, to fight forest fires, the disinfectant tank can be replaced by a fire hose.