‘7-Point Plan: Technology & Robotics at the
forefront to deal with Coronavirus’
New
Zealand’s proactive approach towards containing the virus
has been successful to a great extent in flattening the
infection curve, witnessing a significant drop in number of
active cases and daily recoveries surpassing the new
infection rate.
In a recent media briefing, Prime Minister
Jacinda Ardern stated that the country has seen promising
signs of its lockdown efforts in breaking the chain of
community transmission. It presents the opportunity for New
Zealand to work towards the elimination of virus that is not
yet achieved by any other nation.
The technology comes
at the forefront to bail out the country from contagious
pandemic and the trail of its economic disruptions. New
Zealand government has incorporated the innovative
tech-based solutions coupled with the strict protective
measures to fortress the safety and pace of New
Zealanders’ lives amid the coronavirus
fallout.
Innovation and technology empower productivity
gains, which are quite crucial for businesses to sail
through tough market scenarios to optimise costs and deliver
productivity gains. NZX listed players such as Pushpay
Holdings Limited (NZSX:PPH, ASX:PPH) and employment
solutions provider PaySauce Limited (NZX:PYS) seem to be
leveraging the growing tech driven scenario.
Meanwhile,
the new technological paradigm is providing answers to
varying problems springing up with the restrictions in
activities. The innovative platform has somewhat taken the
edge off the lockdown, while subsequent developments in the
similar field continue to thwart the infection spread in the
country. Further actions of the government towards fighting
the virus on a technological backdrop could provide a
positive impetus to the strategies already in
place.
Let’s have a look at 7-point plan of breakthrough
technologies currently adopted in New Zealand in the fight
against coronavirus.
1. Contact-tracing
Application: In the priority list of the New Zealand
government, the development of contact-tracing application
has taken a top place. The government focuses to ensure
strict social distancing on the pillars of advanced
technical tool to curb the spread of
COVID-19.
2. Bluetooth-enabled
CovidCard: In an effort to provide effecting virus
containment solutions, the government plans to embed
contact-tracing technology in a credit-card sized
bluetooth-enabled CovidCard. It is planning to
deploy $100 million towards the production and
distribution of innovative contract tracing card
solution.
3. Auckland Transport has developed an
application with occupancy indicators that
would highlight if the proximity in the public places
conform to the social distancing norms.
4.
E-store Services: Technological platforms
amidst the restrictive measures seem to prove as a pillar
towards sustaining the economy with minimal interruptions in
the routine activities. The demand of E-commerce
services has boomed with the imposition of
virus-induced lockdown restrictions. Amidst the skyrocketing
demands for online shopping, Countdown has opened the
purpose-built e-store in Auckland.
5. Online
Education: Meanwhile, the remote tutorial
and online learning concept is picking up the
momentum as a part of the new Covid-19 culture.
Wellington-based Massey University is now providing online
courses through Zoom and Slack platforms. Following the
similar pursuit, New Zealand’s leading university,
Auckland University would also run all its courses online
till the mid-2020.
6. Cloud-based Solutions for
Businesses: In a bid to restrict the infection when
all the non-essential services have witnessed temporary
closure, the office activities have shifted to home. The
businesses have been utilising the cloud-based
digital solutions to ensure their operations stay
afloat during lockdown.
7. Robotics and
Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare:
Government’s highest priority is set on avoiding
the person-to-person transmission as hundreds of health
workers are exposed to the risk of Covid-19 infection.
Robotics is hereby considered to play a crucial role in
evading spread-related concerns.
Rocos Global Limited
pointed out that fleets of robots can take charge of the
significant proportion of work that currently enhances the
chances of infection.
New Zealand has also signed an
agreement with the Israel-based medtech company Nanox for
importing its X-ray system for medical imaging services.
Nanox system uses Artificial intelligence cloud-based
software for diagnosing the infection in public places.
On completion of four-week lockdown period on March
22, the New Zealand is set to enter lighter Alert Level-3
effective next Monday mid-night to start some parts of the
economic activities with almost half the working population
to return to work with effective social distancing
practices. However, many restrictions carried forward from
the Level 4 are reportedly expected to be in place, with
businesses to reopen only on being safe in terms of physical
distancing and contactless engagement with
customers.
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