Social distancing robots: how can social robotics come into play in favor of all those situations in which, in the current context, it’s necessary to maintain interpersonal distance due to social distancing measures? Let’s find out in this article!
After the lockdown period and the following slow reopening of companies and shops, we are slowly returning to normal: however, all citizens are called to observe the necessary safety measures, aware that the health emergency has not ended, yet. Today’s challenge consists of the guarantee of people’s health protection, without however harming the quality of life or penalizing services accessibility.
In order to face this challenge, and win it, the use of technology becomes important, if not essential. Social distancing, therefore, becomes one of the areas in which artificial intelligence and robotics can express their potentiality at their best.
After the lockdown period and the following slow reopening of companies and shops, we are slowly returning to normal: however, all citizens are called to observe the necessary safety measures, aware that the health emergency has not ended, yet. Today’s challenge consists of the guarantee of people’s health protection, without however harming the quality of life or penalizing services accessibility.
In order to face this challenge, and win it, the use of technology becomes important, if not essential. Social distancing, therefore, becomes one of the areas in which artificial intelligence and robotics can express their potentiality at their best.
Social distancing robots: infrared screening systems
Social robotics comes into play in many situations in which it’s necessary to maintain interpersonal distance. A circumstance which has now become routine is the measurement of body temperature in companies’ locations and in many public places. The ideal solution to ensure social distancing between the operator who takes care of the measurement and the employee or the customer actually consists in removing the operator, opting for an infrared screening device such as Omitech Thermoscanner: it is a device which allows to measure the temperature at a distance and without an operator, guaranteeing social distancing.
Social distancing robots in industry and in healthcare sector
Social robotics can take the field to ensure social distancing in industry: in a factory, the presence of collaborative robots allows to reduce the presence of workers in certain areas, reducing the risk of contagion. Another area in which social robotics can intervene is the healthcare sector: robots can cooperate in different phases of clinical management (find out more about collaborative robotics by reading our article!)
Social distancing robots, opportunities in retail and large-scale distribution
Artificial intelligence represents a huge opportunity for the fields of retail and large-scale distribution, both as a production and management tool and as a support in customer service. In both retail and large-scale distribution fields, social robotics is spreading as a technology able to help customers in the buying process: a technology particularly useful during this period, in which social distancing is required.
For example, in some stores a robot capable of helping customers has appeared; it is able to answer questions and complaints, and it can guide customers to the shelf where the item they’re looking for is located.
Several fashion brands have begun to use robotics to work alongside shop assistants, and a barista robot has also appeared in San Francisco, and it’s capable of preparing up to 120 coffees per hour.
To allow natural interaction between social distancing robots and users, an artificial intelligence system such as Vivaldi, developed by Omitech, is required. Contact us to find out more!
