Startup mineira develops IoT solution to promote distance between employees

During the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to following basic hygiene recommendations and using protective equipment, it is important that companies structure themselves and scale the team to minimize employee contagion. In addition to these adaptations in team planning and routine operations, as some countries plan to gradually relax isolation measures, we have seen in the world the increased use of "wearable devices" – wearables – developed by startups as mechanisms to ensure maximum social distancing in workplaces. The use of IoT solutions – internet of things – has been increasingly widespread in factories and distribution centers, mainly with the objectives of increasing productivity, but also work safety. Proxxi, for example, is a Canadian startup founded in 2015 that manufactures wristbands with voltage sensor to detect energized equipment, with the aim of protecting workers from electrical accidents. Here in Brazil, one of the companies with solutions in this area is Logpyx. The startup from Minas Gerais develops IoT technologies focused on the logistics and supply chain segment. The company's device, with tracking accuracy of 50 cm, alerts employees to the proximity of risk and need for distancing. In addition, Logpyx's solution allows that, if any professional is diagnosed with COVID-19, it is possible to obtain a report from all employees who have had risk contact. The company's wearable devices can be worn on the badge, such as bracelet, on cuffs, belts or fixed on the helmet or other PPE. The company has been operating innovative, efficient and accurate logistics solutions for more than 4 years. These are just a few examples, but many technology companies have launched new solutions or incorporated features related to distancing into existing products. They were flexible and agile enough to capture the market opportunity, and many report that their demand has skyrocketed. The use of wearables on the desktop always brings concern about the invasion of employee privacy. Technology vendors argue that having a dedicated device, such as wristbands and cards, rather than using people's smartphones, helps mitigate this aspect.