KHI develops PCR testing system by robots

November 4, 2020

Kawasaki Heavy Industries（KHI） announced on October 22, 2020 that it has developed an automatic PCR inspection system using a robot. This testing system can reduce the risk to get infection for healthcare professionals. It takes less than 80 minutes from the acceptance of the sample to the notification of the test result. The system is packaged to be able to load it on trailers and can be moved as needed. The demonstration equipment can process 2000 samples in 16 hours.

From the early stages of the spread of the COVID-19, the company has been working with testing equipment manufacturer SYSMEX and medical device manufacturer Medicaroid to develop an automated PCR testing system to protect healthcare professionals from the risk of infection.

KHI will begin verification of the system at SYSMEX’s R & D center in November 2020, aiming for practical application at the airport in 2021. KHI has been making adjustments for its introduction on Japan’s three major international airports in Narita International Airport, Haneda Airport, and Kansai Airport.