COVID-19 has changed the way the world works. Church services, workplaces, and transit plans all face disruptions now and in the future. Luckily, technology has been there to aid all the industries and people whose lives have been changed by this pandemic. New technologies are changing the ways some industries work. They’re making it possible for trades like construction to continue even amid a shut-down generally.
One of the most frustrating things for many Americans has been the closure of parks and beaches. In many places, playgrounds were covered with plastic wrap to prevent children from using the equipment. Some different countries are utilizing other strategies. One of the most unusual is the Boston Dynamics robotic dog. In Singapore, these friendly-looking robots patrol some public spaces. They make sure that people are observing rules related to social distancing.
Robots are also being used for disinfecting purposes in Europe. The Policlinico Abano hospital group utilizes robots with ultraviolet lights attached to clean spaces, including operating rooms. This is no great leap for this organization. They’ve been using robots for several surgeries. So expanding to disinfectants made sense, mainly after many doctors fell ill with COVID-19. Made by UVD Robots, the machines harness ultraviolet-C light power to dismantle the RNA in viruses and bacteria. That makes it impossible for the virus to reproduce. It also kills fungal spores.
Wearable technology has also become critical during the coronavirus pandemic. Spot-R sensors have been used successfully in the construction industry for the past few years. They automate the sign-in process and also have safety implications. For example, they alert supervisors if someone has an incident like a fall. This can mean a reduction in complications from injuries sustained on construction sites.
Triax Technologies, the inventor of Spot-R, recently introduced a new product. The Proximity Trace device beeps when a worker gets too close to another person. This helps to ensure that six feet of social distance is always observed. Should a worker test positive, data from the device will let authorities know who else has been exposed to the virus. This data can help to contain the spread of COVID-19. There are some worries about privacy, but company representatives say they are careful with the data.