Countries are chanting ‘Lockdowns and social distancing’ as we combat the COVID-19 pandemic. About half of the world’s population is currently in lockdown as the pandemic ravages its way across nations. It has made us take a break from our routine life and confine within four walls of our home. Solitude can be bliss to some while a curse to others. Here are a few solutions that may be of use in our work and help in keeping ourselves sane physically and mentally during this lockdown.
Digital Workplace
Though the nations are in lockdown, most people are still working from home. The organizations are struggling to create compelling work from the home platform for their employees. The US-based startup, Walkabout, offers a three-dimensional digital workplace where the employees can collaborate effectively.
The platform consists of a virtual place where all employees attend, creating a feeling of ‘presence’ similar to a regular office. The platform design is to give a sense that the employees are in the same building, though they are at home. They offer personalized plans where the employees can embed their daily work applications. Walkabout provides a real-time, 3D heads-up display to monitor and know the status of colleagues actively. The features such as real-time video, instant voice chat, on-the-go views, and screen sharing help effective communication among employees.
Human-in-the-Loop Technology (HITL)
The COVID-19 pandemic has collapsed the manufacturing sector. Lockdowns have slowed down the production lines of industries. The innovative Human-in-the-Loop Technology is an ideal solution that factories can adopt in the future.
Plus One Robotics has come up with remote robot supervision software called Yonder. Artificial Intelligence (AI), automated and supervision software, and computer vision can help workers to allocate their daily tasks to robots. These robots can be directed and monitored to perform the functions of the worker. Humans can delegate the work in a remote environment without the need to visit the factory site.
Cloud-based Software
Employees working from home are finding it difficult to gain access to their files during this lockdown. They cannot readily access important files with big data and get to work on their projects. It is the best time for companies to adopt cloud-based software.
Cloud-based software allows the employees to access massive data without the need to store the bulk data on their computers. It is a licensing software option where the users are given access to the software on a subscription basis. This system has several features that enable effective project management by the employees. Companies can have control over their confidential data and grant access only to selected employees. The data can be stored, recovered, or processed quickly from anywhere at any time using the internet in a cloud-based software system. The service providers automatically do the updates and upgrades to the software. It eliminates the need for physical installation and maintenance of the software. The user-friendly and always accessible software platform is a concept that companies must adapt to facilitate efficient working.
Curbing Stress and Anxiety
Staying indoors for months can lead to stress and anxiety among some people. Sometimes having no contact with the outer world can even lead to depression. Flow Lab, a German Startup is a one-stop solution to curb such unwanted fear and emotions. This platform helps in tracking the emotions and offers personalized mental fitness activities, sessions, and tips to prevent anxiety.
Maintaining a sound mind and a sound body is essential for everyone. Hitting the gym may be impossible during the lockdown phase. It is time to adapt to working out with YouTube challenges and online fitness training sessions within the safety of our homes to keep us active and healthy.
Socializing During Social Distancing
We are social beings. It is difficult to stay disconnected from the outer world for a long time. Social networking platforms act as a window during this lockdown phase. Applications such as Zoom and HouseParty are becoming increasingly popular among people.
Modern technology is helping us to stay connected virtually though we are disconnected. Countries and businesses have realized the worth of this technology and are actively adapting to virtual platforms. Museums have organized virtual tours, virtual classrooms are into practice, and essential conferences in many sectors are taking place virtually.
On a brighter side, the isolation and lockdown will bring out surprises in trade and work culture in an utterly unimaginable way. We are bound to see a new phase of technology and innovations as several out-of-the-box concepts arise to adapt to this scenario. The technologies innovated and invented should be protected with Intellectual Property Rights as they may be the future options that will be widely adopted even after the COVID-19 outbreak.
