Leveraging Contactless Technology Across Industries
Since the pandemic has forced us to follow social distancing, Contactless technology features are set to transform the Post COVID-19 age.
After COVID-19 took over the world by storm, contactless technologies have come into the spotlight to help people follow the social distancing protocols and contain the spread of the virus. Although the world was slowly adopting the contactless trend, coronavirus pandemic expedited it to new possibilities and opportunities for tech, healthcare and financial industries. As the world began preparing to relax lockdown restrictions and life returning to normalcy,both leaders and the public are concerned about getting exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, the safety of travel and stay will dictate the pace at which business returns to pre-lockdown levels.
Given the urgency and sensitivity of the situation, contactless technology is our best solution when it comes to sectors that acquire biometric data of their customers, users as a means of proof before availing them with certain services. This implies that time has arrived to look beyond the biometric data acquisition and authentication methods that require physical contact with people or surface. Hence from payment for goods or services to safe screening staff as they return to the workplace and public for possible COVID-19 risk, all need to be carried out in a contactless manner. Fortunately, people, government, employees and industries are already open for this change as merely washing hands is not enough.
Contactless payments: The World Health Organization (WHO) in March had encouraged the use of digital payment. Major payment networks, like Visa and MasterCard, are looking to aid in the pandemic by increasing contactless card spending limits. Plus, the use of multi-factor contactless transaction authentication will become a new normal post-COVID-19, extending security previously reserved for high computer-powered devices such as smartphones and mirroring the experience and security features onto the passive payment card form-factor.
Scanning Kiosks: Indian health-tech startup, Arvi has launched contactless thermal scanning kiosks amid COVID-19 pandemic. The Arvi TX-55 kiosks utilize AI technology with deep learning to combine facial recognition and thermal screening to detect persons with high temperatures as well as those violating requirements to wear masks. And, the advanced Arvi TX-99 can screen blood oxygen, pulse, and respiration rate in addition to temperature.
Glory Ltd, a Japanese manufacturing company, has developed an advanced facial recognition technology that is capable of distinguishing a face even when covered by a mask.
LiDAR crowd density detection: Instead of police forces struggling to ensure that the public follows the social distancing mandates, there is a smart solution that can be employed at public spaces: LiDAR. LiDAR (light detection and ranging), long known for its autonomous vehicle applications, is being adapted for crowd congestion.
For example, several airports in the USA are already using this technology for crowd control. They will be able to take advantage of new crowd density analysis features to alert TSA if hot spots or lines exceed social distancing measures.
Contactless Auto Repairs: Mobile repair service provider, YourMechanic.com and online contactless car repair Fixter have reported twice the number of its usual bookings for a no-contact car repair service. The repairs are performed in driveways or lots without customers having to leave their homes by mechanics who strictly follow safety measures. Appointments are made through an app or web portal, and payments are processed via the phone.
Contactless Dining: Indian restaurant tech platform Dineout has rolled out InResto Contactless Dining Suite to help the F&B (food and beverages) industry adjust to the new normal. This comprises services like informing diners about the restaurant’s new safety measures, booking a table via OR code scan and pre-ordering dishes, seamless contactless takeaway, contactless payments while ensuring superior hygiene standards.
Driverless and contactless Delivery: COVID-19 has boosted the use of drone delivery, drones as-a-service, driverless vehicles, autonomous pick/pack/ship warehouses and RFID/NFC tags for shipment tracking. All, without disrupting the work from home, of people. Besides, NFC contactless technologies now are rapidly deployed in other sectors like specific hotel needs such as check-in, elevator and door access control, restaurant menu and payment etc.
