Pandemic-related gadgets take over the very first virtual Consumer Electronics Show.
The popular technology event went online this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped companies from showcasing new innovations that help keep the virus at bay.
Companies shared a first look at technologies that will help people return to the office, ease the fears in those stuck, and stay safe while on the move in the real world.
These include smart masks that measure air quality, a coin-sized device that monitors vital signs to identify possible coronavirus symptoms, and a keyboard lamp that promises to kill up to 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria.
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Pandemic-related gadgets take over the very first virtual Consumer Electronics Show. The popular technology event has gone online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped companies from showcasing new innovations that help keep the virus at bay.
Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world typically make the trek to Las Vegas, Nevada, around this time to gaze their eyes at the latest and greatest technologies.
This year is very different as the Consumer Technology Association was forced to host the popular event known as CES completely online due to the ongoing pandemic.
But the new setup hasn’t stopped companies from showing off their innovations, and many of them are related to the virus.
BioButton
BioIntelliSense showed a wearable the size of a coin that sticks to a user’s chest and monitors vital signs such as skin temperature, breathing and heart rate, activity level and sleep quality
Vaccinations have been made available in the US and many other parts of the world with the goal of helping society escape their homes and return to the real world – and BioButton wants to make sure that is done safely.
BioIntelliSense showed a wearable the size of a coin that sticks to a user’s chest and monitors vital signs such as skin temperature, breathing and heart rate, activity level and sleep quality.
Using all of these measurements, the device can determine if a user is developing coronavirus symptoms – even if they don’t feel sick.
James Mault, MD, CEO of BioIntelliSense, said, “We are very honored to have been named Best of Innovation as a CES 2021 Innovation Award.”
“The commercial launch of the BioButton COVID-19 symptom screening and vaccine surveillance solution is timely to address the growing challenge of safe return to workplaces, school, travel, conferences and entertainment.”
“The BioButton is the latest addition to our biosensor portfolio and data services model for public health and clinical applications in infectious diseases, orthopedics, oncology and cardiac care.”
The BioButton has already received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its ability to detect symptoms in just a few days.
Qoobo
While some devices help keep the public safe outside their home, others try to help them cope with trapping inside – the Petit Qoobo robot is designed just for that. This round, furry robot is made to look like a cat with no head and legs
While some devices help keep the public safe outside their home, others try to help them cope with trapping inside – the Petit Qoobo robot is designed just for that.
This round, furry robot is made to look like a cat with no head and legs.
It comes in four realistic shades of faux fur that Japanese maker Yukai Engineering says is “reminiscent of skittish young animals” and even produces its own “heartbeat” for users to hear and feel.
The Petit Qooboo showed up at CES 2020 as a prototype, but today’s reveal is a working product for $ 110.
AirPop Active + masks
AirPop has been making masks for five years before the coronavirus conquered the world, but modified the original design for training and added the ability to measure air quality
Masks have become part of our everyday wear and many companies have turned fabric design into technologies to help improve lives.
AirPop made masks five years before the coronavirus conquered the world, but modified the original design for training and added the ability to measure air quality.
The mask is called Active + and is equipped with sensors that connect to a smartphone.
This allows the mask to monitor everything from breaths per minute to the quality of the outside air.
Targus UV-C LED disinfection light
Targus debuted its UV-C LED disinfection lamp that kills up to 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria that can get onto a keyboard
Some companies slowly bring employees back to the office after months, but let the staff divide their time by working from home.
Such a move means people will commute and lug their laptops and other belongings to and from work, increasing their risk of collecting bacteria and viruses along the way.
To tackle this problem, the American company Targus is introducing a virus-killing keyboard backlight and antimicrobial backpack at CES.
Targus also showed the 2Office Antimicrobial Backpack which includes a laptop and has an antimicrobial protective finish on key touch points to prevent the growth of microorganisms on the backpack
The UV-C LED disinfection lamp kills up to 99.9 percent of the viruses and bacteria that can sneak onto a keyboard.
Designed to sit on a desk, the light operates on alternating current for 5 minutes, disinfecting the workspace every hour through automatic settings via motion sensors.
If movement is detected within the safety zone or directly outside the active cleaning area, the UV-C LEDs will automatically turn off and resume after five minutes of inactivity.
Targus also showed the 2Office Antimicrobial Backpack which contains a laptop and has an antimicrobial protective finish on the key contact points to prevent the growth of microorganisms on the backpack.