Emerging technologies and innovation tackling COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt all sides of the globe, we look at the emerging technologies and innovations successfully fighting back.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought disruption and misery to the entire world and has affected all aspects of life. Healthcare, business, production, education and research and development; no sector has been spared by the implications of the virus.

Technology and innovation have reacted to the virus at an incredible pace and global collaboration has brought the world together like never witnessed before. It’s easy to dwell on the negatives of the pandemic however we truly believe there are many products and advancements fighting back the virus that need to be celebrated.

Ms. Michiko Enomoto, Head of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) succinctly spoke about the important role this technology and innovation is playing:

“The year 2020 is a year to remember. We are all severely affected by the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether we are rich or poor. At the same time, the COVID-19 related challenges united us and the whole world to fight against this pandemic. The role of Science, Technology and Innovation is more important than ever.”

Though there really are too many to list we’ve highlighted our favourite innovations tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fumi-Gate

Fumi-Gate is a next generation, full body sanitising system designed as a preventative measure of protection against the spread of harmful bacteria and pathogens, for establishments with large footfall.

Working from a high-quality motion sensor in connection with coloured LED-lights which signal to each person when they can pass through the gate. Nano-silver particles (or colloids) then specifically target harmful bacteria and are able to neutralise the enzymes of said harmful bacteria. It offers up to 12 hours protection and one Fumi-gate system can sanitise up to 1000 people per hour.

Based in the UK, this technology is being directed at retail, leisure and sports sectors.

Find out more at https://www.fumi-gate.co.uk

PULSE: Open-sourced Anti-face- Touching Tech

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have created a publicly available PULSE device in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. PULSE uses 3D-printed parts and affordable electronic components to remind the wearer not to touch their face. A list of the parts, STL files and assembly instructions are all open-sourced and publicly available.

Worn as a pendant around the neck, PULSE uses a proximity sensor to vibrate when it detects that a person’s hand is approaching their face. The vibration becomes stronger the closer the hand gets, reminding the user not to touch their face unless they absolutely must.

Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Safespace: Social Distancing For The Workplace

UK tech companies DKN Capital and LociLabs have developed a wearable device to help people in the transport industry meet Covid-19 social distancing guidelines while they continue to build, maintain and repair critical infrastructure like roadways.

The device comes in either a watch form or tag form to fix to a belt or hard hat and will issue real-time audible, visual and vibrating alerts if it detects another SafeSpace device within 6.5ft, slightly over the 6ft social distancing guideline. This allows employees to maintain a safe social distance from each other while they work.

Find out more at https://www.locilabs.co.uk

Tracetogether Tokens: Singapore’s Contact Tracing Tech

Singapore has turned to wearable devices called TraceTogether Tokens as an addition to its TraceTogether Covid-19 contact tracing app. The idea is that everyone has a token on their person while out and about, exchanging Bluetooth signals with other TraceTogether Tokens or phones running the TraceTogether app nearby. Device users will then be contacted by the Singaporean Ministry of Health (MOH) contact tracing team if they have been detected as having been in close contact with a confirmed Covid-19 patient.

The Tokens have been heralded as a great way for elderly people, who may not own sophisticated mobile phones, to be part of the country’s contact tracing scheme. A further benefit of these is that they have a battery life of six to nine months so that they don’t need any charging, while the app can drain a phone’s battery life fairly quickly.

These are a selection of our favourite innovations we’ve seen and discussed here at UK Electronics. If you think we’ve missed a standout innovation tackling COVID-19 do let us know via our social media channels.

As UK:E is primarily a contract manufacturer, we have extensive experience of supporting clients who are looking to get their products to the market. In addition to our core electronics manufacturing business, we have an array of services to support Research and development – helping our clients to realise their designs early.

We have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and are able to quote for a variety of work – from low volume specialist instruments to large volume consumer applications.

If you require any other aspects of our manufacturing or R&D services, then please speak with a member of our sales team: sales@ukelectronics.co.uk