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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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Erlanger gets germ-destorying robot

photo The Germinator

Sure, R2-D2 can pilot a space cruiser and rip the whereabouts of Death Star prisoners from the Imperial mainframe. But can he disinfect a hospital room in five minutes and for only $3?

The Germinator can.

That’s the name Steve Wheeler, director of environmental services at Erlanger Hospital, is lobbying to give a new Xenex, germ-annhilating robot the hospital just acquired.

“We’re excited about the technology, and we’re happy the robot is here,” he said at a news conference today where the machine went on display.

The machine pulses UV-C light that is “25,000 times more powerful than sunlight” to physically destroy bacteria and harmful viruses in hospital rooms and operating suites, according to an Erlanger press release.