Exploring Future Cases for our Safe Distancing Technology

Posted by Pathfindr on 22nd December 2020 -

When we look back through the history of innovation, how many things that were developed out of necessity have evolved to become a key part of our everyday work or personal lives?  

Perhaps think about this over a cup of instant coffee (manufactured through freeze drying, a process that was invented to preserve blood during WWII).

COVID-19 is the biggest global challenge for many decades, and we are likely to look back on this period as a time of rapid innovation, driven by the needs of healthcare and changing pattern of life.  In our own way, this means thinking about how our safe distancing technology could be utilised once the worry around physical distancing has fully eased. We’ve talked before about how agility has always been part of Pathfindr’s DNA, but this approach will be more critical than ever post COVID-19.

Following the initial outbreak, we rapidly developed a brand-new product, the Safe Distancing Assistant, so that employees working within the manufacturing, pharmaceutical and healthcare and retail sectors can return to the workplace and practice safe personal distancing. The lightweight device, which is worn on a lanyard or belt clip, uses low power Ultra-wideband technology to measure distance from other employees, emitting a short audible alarm when wearers move within two meters of one another.

While we’ve been blown away by the demand from businesses for our product, which continues to evolve to meet COVI9-19 safety needs, we’re keen that they continue benefiting from the technology once the pandemic is over. With individuals more aware of health and safety than ever, companies and their employees are looking for solutions to minimise future risk – whether related to infection or other health risks.

Utilising our in-depth knowledge of sectors including manufacturing, aerospace and construction, we’ll be considering how our social distancing tool could form part of our core offering based around intelligent tracking, data and analytics.

For example, industries which use heavy or dangerous machinery could utilise our Safe Distancing Assistants to help keep employees safe against potential hazards, using it as a proximity alarm over a longer distance than 2 metres.

Exactly how we integrate the safe distancing technology is a matter for further R&D and testing, but as ever we’re always looking to respond to the need that’s there and develop tech solutions that help our Clients. That’s why we’re actively working in partnership with the businesses using our Safe Distancing Assistants to understand what makes the technology work for them and how that can translate into further developments in future.