The Copperbelt University – CBU developed Automated Walk In Sanitizing Innovation – AWISI have now been fully developed, tested, installed and operationalized, with the Kitwe based university now ready to start taking more orders for tailored installations.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, CBU Dean School of Engineering, Dr. Lennox Siwale has disclosed that the full body walk through sanitizers are ready to be purchased by both public and private organizations as well as individuals.
He told ZBT that several ministries have already bought the walk through sanitizers which have even been installed and are operation as we speak. “We have installed quite a number, in Lusaka, the total number installed is about 10”.
Dr. Siwale stated that “we are in the process of installing another 5 in Kabwe. We have installed in various ministries like Ministry of Higher Education, General Education and the Judiciary. We are also going to install at Mulungushi University”, he said.
The team that has locally designed and developed the full body walk through sanitizers is led by Dr. Lennox Siwale Dean School of Engineering at CBU, with key team members that include Dr. Dickson Chembe and George Mugala. These are the brains behind the Zambian home grown solution of called the Full body Automated Walk In Sanitizing Innovation – (AWISI) designed to combat the covid 19 pandemic.
When asked about the purchase price of AWISI, Dr. Siwale stated that they do not have a fixed price per say because it is dependent on the customer’s needs, specifications and also transport and installation costs that comes into play. So, each request is costed and a quote given for those interested to procure the innovation.
Like all innovations developed into products, AWISI is still being improved on as we build more and more machines “Since its a work-in progress, and dependent on specific requirements, we have to factor in each order specifics costs such as transportation, size of machine or entrance etc, So the final cost may vary from order to order”, he said.
He disclose that the full body sanitizers are made of three main sections. “It is composed of three sections, there is the frame itself, there is the pumps section which is also equipped with the spray pipes and nasals and then there is the control which is the sensing gadgets with a motion sensor which senses your presence as you are approaching the frame and that sends the signal to the pump to supply the sanitizing liquid through the nasals as you pass through the body”.
AWISI works in a way that immediately you exit the frame, the sensors switches off the pump. But if you have several people passing through, it will keep on pumping. AWISI has a storage capacity of 500 litters as well”, he said.
Dr. Siwale told ZBT that CBU and his team can make as many sanitizers depending on the customer’s request, and is encouraging institutions, especially places with high traffic to come on board and make orders.
“I would like to encourage other institutions to come and place their orders, we can only make as many as the orders placed, because we have to put the materials together and transport them to the sites and then install”, he said.
The AWISI will help in the prevention of the further spread of the coronavirus and the CBU Dean of Engineering says they have ensured that the type of sanitizers use meets the health standards as the sanitizers get into contact with the body of the persons walking through. We have taken extra care to avoid any irritations of the skin for people walking through.
AWISI can also be used at learning institutions and schools entrance to prevent the spread of Covid 19. Who knows, this may just be the innovation that can allow Zambia to re-open its schools and lead the rest of Africa to with a home grown solution.
