Mercedes High Performance Powertrains has completed production of 10,000 CPAP devices that will be used by patients suffering from COVID-19.
The seven UK-based Formula 1 teams have formed Project Pitlane to work in collaboration with organisations across the country that can help in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
Personnel from HPP – the powertrains division of Mercedes’ Formula 1 operation – worked with University College London to reverse-engineer the CPAP breathing aid.
Breathing difficulties is one of the main effects of COVID-19 and a CPAP device can be used to assist those with breathing problems, freeing ventilators for more critically ill sufferers.
Mercedes repurposed its entire facility at Brixworth in order to work on producing 1,000 units a day and on Wednesday its government order of 10,000 was fulfilled.
The devices are now ready for distribution to be used by the National Health Service, which has been put under severe pressure due to the number of COVID-19 patients that need treating.
The design of the CPAP device has been made freely available by Mercedes and UCL in order for governments and manufacturers around the world to use.
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