maxon, a Swiss developer and manufacturer of drive systems, is a long-time partner of leading medical technology companies worldwide. Its products are used in medical devices such as ventilators, respirators, protection masks and lab automation.

During these unprecedented times, maxon is focused on supporting the companies producing these life-saving devices so desperately needed during this COVID-19 pandemic.

To do so, maxon launched a “medical fast track” process to ensure the best possible service for critical application needs to fight this pandemic. This fast track system is reviewed in real-time to expedite urgent requests for product.

The maxon group management team reviews each request and matches the need with a solution – prioritizing manufacturing efforts globally to ensure product production and shipment to our medical essential customers is done rapidly.

“As we all continue to navigate through these unique and evolving challenges, we want our customers to know that we are here to help support the larger effort,” said maxon in a statement. “maxon is working with our global supply chains to ensure critical demand is met. This has been made a top priority.

“We are seeing companies coming together to offer their resources and expertise during this crisis and we understand this importance for no one company can meet these challenging times alone. We see this as our responsibility and are here to support the companies producing these medical devices used to help save lives. Together we can all make a difference.”

The robotics industry is stepping up to help combat the novel coronavirus. Not only are robots helping in a variety of ways, some companies have shifted their focus and launched new initiatives to help. Here are just a couple of examples. JR Automation partnered with General Motors to produce 50,000 medical masks a day. And two Boston-based robotics startups started The Ventilator Project, a non-profit looking to develop a low-cost ventilator specifically for COVID-19 patients. One ventilator costs about $40,000, according to estimates, but this initiative is rapidly prototyping a ventilator that will cost between $1,000-$2,000.

Editor’s Note: The Robot Report ‘s COVID-19 coverage is keeping you updated about how the robotics industry is responding to and being affected by the novel coronavirus.