SMEs offer their know-how to help in fight against pandemic

They are offering their innovations, or are working with government agencies to put existing know-how to new use

Published Thu, Apr 23, 2020 · 09:50 PM

Covid-19

Singapore

USING their existing know-how and capabilities, local firms are stepping up to supply needed products and services in Singapore's fight to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Some of these small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have developed their own innovations; others are working closely with government agencies to apply their technology in new areas.

One such innovation comes from robotics and automation company PBA Group. Reports that ultraviolet (UV) light was being used to disinfect buses in China gave the Singapore company the idea of mounting UV lamps on autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), which it designs and manufactures in Singapore.

Said PBA chief executive Derrick Yap: "Robots are ideal for situations that are dangerous, dull and dirty. We did some research and our engineers found that UV light cannot be deployed around humans, because it is very strong and is not good for the skin and eyes. But if we can put UV lights on our AMRs, we'll be able to automate disi…