Top 7 Tech Trends to Watch in the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 Boosts Tech Innovations 

COVID-19 has shaken the world to its core. Societies are disrupted, countries are under lockdowns, and many people are confused. Although this may sound like some sort of sci-fi, this is the current reality. However, just like any type of crisis, it forced people to develop means of dealing with the issue.

The virus took its toll on the life of society but technologies have experienced an unprecedented boost in development. After all, COVID-19 showed that society is highly relying on technologies to maintain its functions. As a result, now we can enjoy robot and drone deliveries, telehealth solutions, AI-powered services, and VR/AR — everything powered by the Internet. Here we will take a look at the top 7 tech innovations to watch during the pandemic.

Top 7 Tech Trends To Look For

Robot Deliveries

Different online platforms are actively using innovations like delivery drones in their operations. Some companies are even experimenting with the use of on-land delivery robots. When it comes to robot technologies, the healthcare industry is actively employing them in its practices such as rehabilitation, surgery procedures, and patient companionship. Japan is known for the active use of robots in restaurants but there are even more daring attempts to employ robots in food preparation, for instance, Moley Robotics is working on a fully automated home kitchen.

Smart Disinfection Solutions

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused global lockdowns and severe quarantines but the innovative tech solutions allowed the majority of countries to loosen up and return to a new normal given the circumstances. For example, airports, movie theaters, and other public places are actively applying the latest technologies like disinfection tunnels to ensure a safe and clean environment. Such a solution is able to disinfect a person from head to toe through the use of dry fog that is created with a non-irritant disinfectant that eliminates most viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Telemedicine Apps

This tech innovation is quite controversial but there are some solid reasons behind its implementation. Telehealth has been developing for decades; yet, the general population is kind of skeptical about this technology because traditional medicine is still about an in-person meeting with a patient. Still, COVID-19 has brought about many changes in healthcare posing a real threat to public health. 

The overflow of patients with different symptoms in medical settings is quite dangerous. Here, telemedicine apps step in to solve this problem. Users are able to communicate with physicians while maintaining distance thus potentially preventing the spread of the virus. Apps such as LiveHealth and PlushCare are quite straightforward — a user signs up, logs in, and chooses a doctor. Finally, it is important to understand that healthcare providers are on the front line of the fight against COVID-19, and the risk of exposure is considerably higher for them. So, telemedicine apps can keep medical workers safe and functioning.

Digital Currency

The use of cards and e-wallets is now on the rise as a preferred method of payment. Contactless transactions that use digital currency are especially suitable for online purchases, services, and different payments. Apple Pay and PayPal are some of the common apps. The emergence of blockchain and its active implementation in finances led companies such as SETL to work on developing contactless payment cards that use blockchain technology. Still, the major benefit of digital payment methods is that they limit physical contact between people thus preventing the virus spread.

AI-enabled Robot Teachers

As remote learning became a new norm for the majority of countries, the technologies have evolved in a way to complement the current trend. The COVID-19 crisis provided a perfect opportunity to develop AI-powered teachers. Edutech apps offer convenient means of interaction for large numbers of people hence creating a solid platform for remote education. Individualized education has been already practiced for some time but AI is the factor that enables hyper-individualization of the educational process. AI can learn about students and create an educational program according to their needs.

VR/AR

Although these technologies are not fully developed yet, they have huge potential. Some industries such as tourism and entertainment have been significantly struck by COVID-19, and this is where the use of VR and AR technologies seems to be most suitable. After all, travel restrictions among other factors that impact people's ability to move around could effectively boost the development of VR and AR to make these tech innovations applicable in the daily life of the general population. These technologies redefine the retail industry and eliminate the need for physical presence in stores thus limiting the spread of COVID-19 and preventing local outbreaks. 

5G

Although the progress is quite slow, the adoption of 5G is moving forward. You might ask how 5G is a tech innovation to watch for in COVID-19; the answer is simple — the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a reality. All the previously mentioned entries on this list rely on the Internet one way or another. That is why a new and highly effective affordable Internet connection is so important. 

5G is expected to be about 100 times faster than its predecessor while providing users with lower latency than 4G. Even more, 5G is highly likely to boost the IoT development as lower latencies and speed upgrades will deliver more capabilities for remote execution than 4G. This will allow a greater number of devices to be connected and even open possibilities for implementing network slicing.

After all, the evolution of the Internet connection is the best argument in favor of further delving into the optimization of available technologies and developing innovative solutions to create a better future.

Future Outlook

These 7 tech trends clearly show how COVID-19 boosted the development of innovative solutions. Despite the global lockdowns and economic crises caused by the pandemic, technological progress is on the rise, and it is possible to confidently assert that this process is going to intensify in the future. The economies will recover eventually, and businesses will be able to allocate even more resources to create new technologies and enhance the existing ones.