Covid-19 has created a real havoc across the economies of the world and Indian economy is also feeling the wrath especially in the unorganized sector. Though the economy is struggling, the tech innovation in India during the pandemic should be appreciated and is very much helpful to the society.
Automation – Apps and ventilators
In the April month itself, Indian Government was able to launch the ‘Aarogya Setu app’, which uses GPS and Bluetooth to inform the users when they are at a risk of exposure to COVID-19. Even Google and Apple were late in launching a similar app in US.
In order to face the challenge, robotic system was introduced during this pandemic in some parts of the country to ensure social distancing. Asimov Robotics, a start-up in Kerala deployed robots at the entrances of office buildings and other public spaces. Kerala had the experience in their fight against Nipha virus and the precautions they took was a lesson to other states in India and even developed nations.
Research centres and Hospitals across India, developed cost effective ventilators for COVID-19 patients within a limited time. Sree Chithira Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology in Kerala developed cost effective test kit for analysing Corona virus and also developed a convalescent plasma therapy for diagnosis of COVID-19.
Collaboration and Communication
Engineering Institutes in India, Department of Science and Technology, Industry experts everyone collaborated during the pandemic to find solutions to fight the havoc. Automobile manufacturers in India united with health experts and biomedical engineers in manufacturing cheap ventilators. Kerala start-up mission launched a program called “Breath of Hope”, to bring together IT professionals, doctors and biomedical engineers in developing innovative medical devices. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) conducted a hackathon to develop solutions for COVID-19. All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) announced a competition for technical experts and start-ups in India to develop a Mobile based Video conferencing application for the nation.
As experts point out Covid 19 is here to stay for a longer period of time and it would need a mammoth effort from the part of human civilization to fight the pandemic. Technological innovations are going to be the key to make this world a better place in post Corona times and what is needed is more of these innovations from human mankind.
