Manipulator such as in industrial robot and method for influencing an ambient condition therein

A method for influencing at least bacterial presence in the vicinity of drive units of a manipulator, the method comprising:

• providing a group of drive units;
• providing a plurality of scavenging areas, each scavenging area being associated with one of said group of drive units;
• a scavenging medium to one or more of said scavenging areas, said scavenging medium containing disinfecting substances.

A manipulator for use in contamination-endangered environments, the manipulator comprising:

• a scavenging medium;
• a plurality of drive units, each drive unit defining a scavenging area;
• a scavenging medium delivery means for delivering said scavenging medium to at least one said scavenging area such that one or more of a temperature, a moisture content, a pressure and a bacterial presence at one of said drive units is changed via delivery of said scavenging medium, said scavenging medium comprising a disinfectant in at least one said scavenging area.