8 Technologies to Help World During a Pandemic

The thing is that, unfortunately, technology couldn’t have prevented the outbreak of COVID-19. Nevertheless, it can stop its spread and educate people on how to lessen its impact. 

From software to robotics, companies around the world are coming up with new technologies during the pandemic. Some solutions will help entrepreneurs to make a successful start of their business just like the phoenix reborn. Others, such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, help us process data faster and more accurately. And the application of digital technologies for COVID-19’s testing, surveillance, and health care has been a part of every successful pandemic-management scenario. 

Let’s take a closer look at the 8 most important new technologies used during the crisis.

1. Autonomous Technologies During the Pandemic — Reducing Physical Contact

More than ever before, there’s a need for deliveries with a minimal amount of contact. Robots, drones, and other autonomous vehicles can not only be used to deliver food or sterilize facilities but also transport an infected person to a hospital. 

Although the main focus of autonomous vehicles in various hospitals has been the transportation of medical supplies and food, they’re also picking up people. This is a great relief for healthcare workers who are at high risk of catching the virus every day. 

2. Technology Monitoring People’s Temperatures

Technologies developed during the pandemic are all about preventing the spread of the virus. Wireless thermometer guns, for example, can measure a person’s temperature without getting too close. Various infrared devices have become irreplaceable in checkpoints at airports, train stations, and offices. They’ll determine very quickly and effectively individuals with higher than normal body temperature. 

3. Facial Recognition to Track People

Believe it or not, but technologies during the pandemic doing facial recognition can recognize people even if they wear a mask. This is invaluable to track individuals who need to stay in quarantine. What’s more, face recognition helps determine whether a person has been in contact with someone infected. Although this kind of surveillance would not be tolerable during normal times, it can save lives during a pandemic.

4. Getting People to Work Safely

The key to restart economies after the crisis is to get people to work. However, the risk of catching the virus remains high in most parts of the world. So, overcrowding must be avoided. While this may help prevent the spread of the virus, it’s bad news for bus companies. To help the transportation agencies out, Optibus was offering its services for free until the end of July. They’re a transport technology company that assists in finding the best routes and work out plans for the crew. 

5. Exchanging Data — Critical to Win the Virus

Data is crucial in combating the pandemic. It helps us to understand how the virus operates. This is why the COVID-19 Data exchange Initiative was created. It’s a way for organizations and companies to exchange data about the virus. The information will then be used in studies that aim to limit pandemic-induced harm on the economy.

6. Starling Bank’s Solution for Contact-Free Delivery

Self-isolation is not easy. Many people who were forced to stay at home depended on someone delivering them food. But what would be the best way to pay the volunteers? A solution to use a debit card, linked to the owner’s account, was offered by a fintech company Sterling Bank. This enables a trusted individual to pay for food on the owner’s behalf without any need for a physical exchange of cash.

7. Artificial Intelligence — Making Diagnoses Quicker

A South Korean company called Lunit is working on artificial intelligence systems that can spot the disease from an X-ray image. And here’s the kicker: the software is available on the Internet for free. These kinds of innovations have been very helpful in managing the pandemic in South Korea.

8. Packing Can Be Done by Robots

During the pandemic, a lot of people had to get their groceries online. Fulfilling the numerous orders quickly became a challenge for shops with limited staff. One of the most trending technologies during lockdown came to help. A retail technology company called Takeoff Technologies builds mini-warehouses where robots pack the food. This helps the shops to fulfill the orders quickly and with less human contact.

Conclusion

Technologies during COVID have advanced at rapid speed. Many solutions, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, will probably stay with us even after the crisis. Others, like advanced surveillance options, will hopefully soon be gone. But the bottom line is this: technology has played a major role in supporting the world in crisis. It has proven its worth once again during the pandemic.

Do you know emerging technologies that have helped the world lately? Let us know in the comments section.

About the Guest Author

Ellen Royce is an experienced marketer, copywriter, and entrepreneur. Having started several small businesses online, she knows the importance of effective content marketing in building companies. Ellen loves writing articles on the newest online marketing and technology trends to share on her blog.


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