Technology Trends to Watch in the COVID - 19 Pandemic

 During the COVID - 19 Pandemic, technologies are playing a crucial role in keeping your society functional in a time of lockdowns and quarantines. And these technologies may have a long-lasting impact beyond Covid-19.

1. Online Shopping and Robot Deliveries

      Online shopping needs to be supported by a robust logistics system. In person delivery is not virus-proof. Many delivery companies and restaurants in the US and and China are launching contactless delivery services where goods are picked up and dropped off at a designated location instead of from or in to the hands of a person. However before  robot delivery services becomes prevalent, delivery companies need to establish clear protocols to safeguard the sanitary condition of delivered goods.

2. Digital and Contactless Payment 

     Cash might carry the virus some of the countries have implemented various measures to ensure bank notes are clean before they go into circulation. Now, contactless digital payments, either in the form of cards or ewallets, are the recommended payment method to avoid the spread of Covid- 19. 

3. Remote Work

    Many companies have asked employees to work from home. Remote work is enabled by technologies including  Virtual Private Netwok(VPNs), Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIPs), Virtual meetings, Cloud technology and even facial recognition technologies.In addition to preventing the spread of virus, remote work also saves commute time and provide more flexibility.

4. Distance Learning.

    All educational institutions started offering courses  online to ensure education was not disrupted by quarantine measures . Technologies involved in distant learning are similar to those for remote work and also include Virtual reality, 3D printing and artificial intelligence enabled robot teachers. 

5.  TeleHealth

          TeleHealth can be an effective way to contain the spread of Covid-19. Some hospitals are making use of virtual platforms to screen the triage patients who might have Covid-19, while others are using the technology just to free up space and personnel. 

6. Online Entertainment.

     Although quarantine measures have reduced person  interactions, human creativity has brought the party online. Museums and International Heritage sites offer virtual tours.

7. Supply Chain

         The Covid-19 pandemic has created disruptions to the global supply chain. Some countries have implemented different levels of export bans on food and personal protective equipment.