<p>As long, jostling queues formed outside liquor stores in India during the easing of a coronavirus lockdown, Karthik Velayutham found a way to maintain social distancing -- by building a robot to shop for him.</p>.<p>The humble machine -- a cardboard box resting on a four-wheel wooden platform -- took the computer engineer two days to make and cost Rs 3,000 ($40).</p>.<p>But it is performing a crucial job for its creator at a time when social interactions carry the risk of catching a virus that has infected more than four million people and killed over 297,000 worldwide.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-latest-news-835374.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>"I ran my robot to the wine shop as a trial to demonstrate how someone can use it in a crowded place and to create awareness about the importance of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus," Velayutham, 31, told AFP.</p>.<p>"I have tested this device on the streets and it has no problems and goes smoothly, even over speed bumps because I have used a gear motor."</p>.<p>Velayutham controls the machine from the comfort -- and safety -- of his home in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu state. Using the robot's built-in smartphone, he can send it commands via the internet.</p>.<p>He tells the shopkeeper what he wants to buy via a video call. The machine can carry loads of up to 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds).</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH</a></strong></p>.<p>"The speciality of my robot is that it can be controlled from anywhere in the world," Velayutham said.</p>.<p>"The payment can be done using any mobile wallet or electronic payment system remotely."</p>.<p>Around the world, robots have been deployed during the pandemic to deliver food, conduct health checks and even disinfect places.</p>.<p>Velayutham is confident his machine, with a bit of tinkering, can join them on the front lines.</p>.<p>"It can be used in hospitals to interact with patients remotely," he said.</p>.<p>"It can be used in unlimited ways -- for shopping, for police patrolling or even in situations like a fire where it's dangerous for people to go."</p>
<p>As long, jostling queues formed outside liquor stores in India during the easing of a coronavirus lockdown, Karthik Velayutham found a way to maintain social distancing -- by building a robot to shop for him.</p>.<p>The humble machine -- a cardboard box resting on a four-wheel wooden platform -- took the computer engineer two days to make and cost Rs 3,000 ($40).</p>.<p>But it is performing a crucial job for its creator at a time when social interactions carry the risk of catching a virus that has infected more than four million people and killed over 297,000 worldwide.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-india-live-updates-total-cases-deaths-covid-19-tracker-worldometer-update-lockdown-latest-news-835374.html" target="_blank">For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</a></strong></p>.<p>"I ran my robot to the wine shop as a trial to demonstrate how someone can use it in a crowded place and to create awareness about the importance of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus," Velayutham, 31, told AFP.</p>.<p>"I have tested this device on the streets and it has no problems and goes smoothly, even over speed bumps because I have used a gear motor."</p>.<p>Velayutham controls the machine from the comfort -- and safety -- of his home in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu state. Using the robot's built-in smartphone, he can send it commands via the internet.</p>.<p>He tells the shopkeeper what he wants to buy via a video call. The machine can carry loads of up to 50 kilogrammes (110 pounds).</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/coronavirus-live-news-covid-19-latest-updates.html" target="_blank">CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL COVERAGE ONLY ON DH</a></strong></p>.<p>"The speciality of my robot is that it can be controlled from anywhere in the world," Velayutham said.</p>.<p>"The payment can be done using any mobile wallet or electronic payment system remotely."</p>.<p>Around the world, robots have been deployed during the pandemic to deliver food, conduct health checks and even disinfect places.</p>.<p>Velayutham is confident his machine, with a bit of tinkering, can join them on the front lines.</p>.<p>"It can be used in hospitals to interact with patients remotely," he said.</p>.<p>"It can be used in unlimited ways -- for shopping, for police patrolling or even in situations like a fire where it's dangerous for people to go."</p>