The Human Sensory System has almost got devoid of its senses of touch when the whole world had to suffer from a complete body slam from the monstrosities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the previous year.
The Covid-19 pandemic has suppressed our sense of touch more than any other. On the one hand, social touch such as holding hands and hugging has been forbidden, causing our society to resemble that described in the 90s sci-fi movie “Demolition Man”, where physical contact is heavily sanctioned and everyone has to go TOUCHLESS. On the other hand, video teleconferencing has become the new norm, reducing most of our social interactions to just audio and visual streams, increasing, even more, our hunger for touch.
Eventually, the pandemic will end. That day can’t come soon enough. Even after COVID-19 no longer pervades our lives, one thing is for sure. The crisis will transform how we live and do business for good. Companies are making these changes for everyone’s benefit. The most notable adjustment is the switch to touchless technology.
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a demand for technologies that allow us to avoid touching devices. Before the pandemic, the world had a difficult time understanding the importance of touchless technology, and even then, it was not imagined in this context. The gesture-based technologies that have been adopted in research have thus far not been popular outside of research labs.
The global pandemic, however, has changed that view; today, the average person can certainly appreciate the need for touchless interaction. This technology is important not only for healthcare workers interacting with medical equipment, but also in the use of ATMs, vending machines, and learning devices. There are several issues in the design, development, and adoption of such technologies that should be addressed in the near future.
Touchless interaction is possible with augmented reality technology, which uses gesture and interaction controller sensors to create a bridge between virtual and real environments.
Touchless Technology is likely to accelerate adoption across various sectors.
Due to COVID-19, most companies, including IT firms have suspended biometric attendance and replaced access cards.
Uber is using this technology to check if the driver is wearing a mask. Hyperlocal delivery services have already adopted the concept of contactless deliveries for a post-lockdown world. The acceptance of digital payments, even for payments as small as for candy has been astronomical during and post lockdown. IT giant Infosys launched contactless baggage management solutions for a North American airline. The Touchless market is pegged to grow at a staggering rate of 17.1%, research says.
Touchless Utilities Are the Next Big Thing
Touchless technology is creating a very significant dent in people’s lives. The pandemic has taken everyone around the world by storm and shook the panic nerve right from the core. However, technology has helped in its way to minimize the transmission of the virus, by providing solutions with touchless technology.
Utensils dispensers, delivery robots, sensor-based sanitization machines, and air purifiers are a few examples of the marvels of touchless technology. But not only this, now are touchless elevators added to this list as well. Elevators are now getting touchless treatment in the United States. Hands-free, voice-activated elevators are being used in the buildings.
Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and touchless technology to lead the future development of aerospace and aviation in the post-COVID-19 era.
Dubai Airshow 2021 will serve as a platform to showcase the role of cutting-edge technologies in bolstering the recovery of the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors.
The impact of the pandemic has accelerated the use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, cybersecurity, touchless solutions, 5G, robotics, and automation. These solutions serve as a means to drive new opportunities within the industry and enhance safety, operations, productivity, and profitability.
Touchless Technology is picking up Air-travel from the Grounds.
Coronavirus concerns have crippled air travel it almost went down to a whopping 70%, last year post the lockdown. The new Touchless technology aims to make air travels safer and even a little quicker.
A recent announcement between Amadeus and Norwegian airport operator Avinor paves the way for a touchless travel journey for passengers. Avinor, which operates 44 airports, is trialing touchless technology that allows passengers to check-in, drop bags, proceed through security and board their flight.
Additionally, Emirates has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to become one of the first airlines to test IATA Travel Pass – a mobile application that enables passengers to create a ‘digital passport’ to verify their required pre-travel COVID-19 test or vaccination and manage all travel documentation digitally and seamlessly throughout their airport journey.
Many Airports in the US are using technologies like these to get rid of the hassle of interactions with passengers and can eventually minimize the transmission of COVID. The reposts are suggesting that these technologies are being able to speed up the process by 30% and encourages social distancing as well. American Airlines is currently testing biometric boarding at Dallas/Fort-Worth International Airport for some international flights. Instead of scanning a boarding pass, the traveler can scan their face at a kiosk that verifies their identity with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the gate.
By Mayank Vashisht | Technology Journalist | ELE Times
