In a new Science Robotics editorial published today, experts discuss the potential use of robots to combat COVID-19 by decreasing risks posed to humans, safely resuming halted manufacturing and making teleoperations more efficient. Much of the work required in combatting COVID-19 requires “dull, dirty, and extremely dangerous tasks for human workers but suitable to robots,” the editorial authors say, and they point to potential uses such as disinfecting operating rooms, taking temperatures at ports of entry, delivering medications and more.

Russell (Russ) Taylor, Director of the Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics at The Johns Hopkins University, and an author on the editorial, is available to talk about the future of robotics and COVID-19.

Taylor has more than 40 years of professional experience in the fields of computer science, robotics and computer-integrated interventional medicine. His research interests include robotics, human-machine cooperative systems, medical imaging & modeling, and computer-integrated interventional systems. Taylor is also Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of The IEEE Transactions on Robotics and Automation, and has served on numerous other editorial and scientific advisory boards.  

Taylor is available for interviews and can be reached by emailing [email protected].