Supercars outfit Erebus Motorsport has emerged as an unlikely ally in the fight against coronavirus by developing and manufacturing medical equipment for hospitals.
With the season suspended until at least June due to the pandemic, the team have worked with Supercars medical delegate Carl Le to produce full face masks and a transparent box that fits over an infected patient’s head, neck and chest to protect health care workers.
They have produced the devices in their Melbourne-based workshop and are preparing to distribute them nationally as soon as possible.
“It’s a challenging time and all Australians need to do all they can to help,” said team CEO Barry Ryan.
“We are in a fortunate position where we have the ability to make this shift in our operations and help our health care workers and patients.
“One of our engineers has family isolated in Italy, so the effects of this virus have hit close to home for us.”
Ryan said they used a 3D printer to design and develop the face masks “based on underwater snorkelling masks”.
He said the transparent box helped isolate infected patients with two holes on the side to allow access for doctors and reduce the chance of transmission.
He said the cost-effective design for the box – which is already being trialed in two Melbourne hospitals – ensured they could produce up to 20 a day.
The team is also investigating a two-way communication device for isolation rooms.