Back in early 2020, TrendWatching launched ‘Covid Innovations’ to inspire entrepreneurs and marketers to serve their customers better in dire covid times.
With covid no longer deeply impacting daily life, we’re fully focused again on all innovations that make the world a little bit better - check out MakeShift, our free weekly publication to stay on top of the latest trends, insights and innovations.
The face mask, called 'C-Mask,' can be worn over regular, fabric-based masks. It connects to an app via Bluetooth, enabling it to transcribe speech to text messages, which are then sent via the user’s smartphone. It can also translate from Japanese into eight other languages and amplify the user’s voice, in case they are not heard through the mask.
Read MoreThe system has already been used to sanitise the Greater Boston Food Bank. In tests, the robot covered a 4,000 square foot area of the warehouse within 30 minutes, providing enough light to neutralise around 90% of COVID particles. Teleoperators have first to teach the robot a route around the site, then it follows waypoints around a map of the venue. The next step is enabling the robot to adapt to changes in its environment.
Read MoreThanks to this panel, called “Sparshless”, no one needs to touch elevator buttons anymore. According to the company, it can work with all existing lifts, no modification is required. Instead of disinfecting the lift everyday, this innovation could easily help stop the spread of the virus in appartments, hotels, malls, hospitals, offices and more places.
Read MoreOrganisations can engage Xenex’s team of experts on a project basis to utilize Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots to kill harmful viruses, bacteria and spores that stay on commonly touched surfaces and pose a risk for disease transmission. The robot uses a xenon lamp to generate bursts of high intensity, broad-spectrum (200-315nm) ultraviolet light that’s more intense than sunlight, and is proven to destroy the virus that causes COVID, in two minutes.
Read MoreThe PULSE is a pendant that you can hang from your neck like a necklace that starts vibrating when your hand gets close to the device. It is supposed to remind you to stay away from your face zone. NASA doesn't have a shop so the design instructions to make the PULSE are available free for anyone.
Read MoreIsraeli researchers invented a mask with a USB port that connects to a mobile phone charger to self-clean from the heat of the device. The power source can heat an inner layer of carbon fibres to 70°C. The desinfection process takes about 30 minutes. The researches hope the invention can alleviate the mask shortage during the COVID and in post-COVID times.
Read MoreThe ASEPT-UV Sterilizing Robot, presented as the logical solution for an ecological disinfection, kills germs in the environment by decomposing their DNA structures, thus preventing and reducing the spread of viruses, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. It is able to move autonomously for a timed, fixed-point and can multi-track mobile disinfection and sterilization in large areas.
Read MoreCleansBox is a pocket-size box that enables people to carry and sanitize their masks anywhere at any time, thanks to UVC light. UVCcleans has started a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo, with great success.
Read MoreGlimpse Analytics' AI-based analytics device, that uses existing CCTV cameras in stores or offices to provide customer analytics, data on customers, employees, and merchandise to retailers, was repurposed to identify people not wearing masks or violating social distancing norms. It sends alerts via email, SMS/ WhatsApp, or the Glimpse Analytics mobile app, including an image of the particular area to prove the violation.
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group opened FlyZoo Hotel in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in November 2018, an example of unmanned smart hotels where guests can book a room and do check in online using facial recognition, turn out the lights, draw the curtains or adjust the air conditioner, all without human assistance. The new services are possible thanks to robots equipped with artificial intelligence.
Read MoreThe necklace, called sChoker, crafted from carbon fibre, integrates thermal sensors which identify the infrared radiations emanating from the temperature of those passing by. It will then let the wearer know if they are at a safe or dangerous distance using either a visual or audio signal.
Read MorePedidosYa's drones flew over the streets of Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba with surprises for random Bolivian mothers. The idea was to celebrate Mother's Day in a different way to give them a special message whilst encouraging them to stay at home to respect COVID restrictions.
Read MoreThe mask can be opened mechanically by hand remotely or automatically when the fork is coming to the mask. The company said it plans to start manufacturing the mask within months and had already submitted a patent.
Read MoreThe American University in the Emirates (AUE) at the Dubai Academic City will be using the drive-in cinema concept to welcome all the students at the campus car-park and organise pre-assigned slots, two metres from each other’s car. Students will be able to access an FM radio channel to follow the ceremony, and, once a graduate’s name is called out, a drone will carry the certificate and delivery it to the student’s car.
Read MoreHeatmaps enables users to discover new training routes in their neighborhood, find the popular local spots or stay safe and keep their distance by avoiding the much-travelled trails. Heatmaps is available on Suunto app and offline with Suunto 7 sport watches.
Read MoreTops Market, a supermarket chain in Bangkok, placed a robot at the front of the store that can read customers' temperatures then trigger an alarm and deny entry if it is too high. The device was developed by Central Tech, a subsidiary of Central Group, the largest retailer in Thailand. Using facial recognition technology, the monitor also sounds an alarm and prevents customers from entering if they are not wearing masks.
Read MoreLondon-based furniture designer Steve Brooks created a device to help people ‘touch’ surfaces safely: You can grip the hook and use it to push, pull or turn a door handle. Designed by Seattle-based designers, a wearable 'bracelet' alerts users when they mindlessly touch their face, eyes, lips or nose. Then the Danish company, UVD Robots, makes robots capable of disinfecting cabins and operating theatres in hospitals, using an array of ultraviolet C rays to destroy the RNA of the virus.
Read MoreThe UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a trial for drones to ferry COVID tests and personal protective equipment to a hospital on the Isle of Mull, off the coast of Scotland. If the trial is successful, Skyports says it will expand drones to bring supplies to other remote parts of the UK.
Read MoreTyler Glaiel made a mask that mirrors the natural movement of the mouth with lights. He detailed how to make the mask at home thanks to photos and instructions in a DIY guide, and explained anyone 15 or older could make it (although comfort using soldering tools is required).
Read MoreThis conceptual toaster, designed by Lee Sungwook, makes disinfecting phones a little easier and more playful. The toaster also charges the phone while disinfecting it during the time it is being ‘toasted’ and you can’t take it out until it’s done. While the concept is still being developed, it certainly uses UV light to disinfect and sanitise the phone while wirelessly charging it.
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