After Coronavirus, Long-lasting Impacts for Businesses and Homeowners

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many homeowners and businesses to adopt “clean-home” technologies. Disinfectant fans and germ-fighting UV light robots are in demand from high-end homeowners and businesses hoping to enter reopening phases.

The University of Southern California developed the ADDAMS robot, which can open drawers, moving objects, and opening and closing doors remotely all while disinfecting a room with UV light and hydrogen peroxide spray. Professor Satyandra Gupta, director of the school’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing, envisions that UV robots could be beneficial in places like hospitals, grocery stores, public transportation hubs, and schools. Temperature sensors are also in high demand, giving businesses the ability to screen people before entering buildings. Similarly to how there were changes in airport safety procedures after 9/11, these scanning methods may become the new normal.

Along with technological methods of coping with the pandemic, many businesses are opting for physical distancing measures as well. Offices are increasing space between cubicles, scheduling smaller groups of core employees to be in the office at once time, and increasing the number of physical barriers such as screens and partitions between desks. Whatever happens in the months and weeks ahead, this coronavirus pandemic will likely have a long-lasting impact on the ways we work and how our workplaces function.