5 Ways Software Developers Can Aid Social Distancing

Devs are playing an important role in our new normalcy.

Even as many organizations have begun asking their employees to return to work and schools are contemplating whether or not to open their doors to students in a matter of weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that it has no intention of abating.

Some states have reopened establishments, only to shut them down in a matter of weeks due to dramatic surges in infection rates. Social distancing measures must continue to be a part of face-to-face interactions.

Software developers are playing an important role in monitoring and enforcing social distancing. What, exactly, can their products do to help arm users with the tools they need to keep themselves and others safe?

#1 They Can Alert People When They’re Not Social Distancing

Keeping your distance from others is an integral part of curbing the spread of COVID-19. That’s why Amazon developed software called Distance Assistant for its warehouses to alert employees when they are too close to their coworkers. The tool is powered by machine learning, which detects when people are too close together, and offers visual feedback, displayed on a video monitor, that reveals when people are within six feet of one another.

Recently, Amazon announced that it would open the source code of the software and AI that powers Distance Assistant to ensure that others can benefit from the technology, too. Similar innovations have been cropping up.

#2 They Can Detect Room Occupancy

Organizations that are beginning to bring employees back into the workplace need to make sure they are doing so safely and adhering to social distancing guidelines. But large companies can’t always keep track of who is in which room at what time. Fortunately, tools like the Occupancy Monitoring System can help.

This tool is equipped with optical sensors that keep track of how many people enter or leave a space such as a bathroom, a breakroom, or a meeting room. If the number of people threatens to exceed the maximum capacity, individuals will be alerted by visual cues prior to entering.

#3 They Can Count People as They Enter or Exit a Space

Similarly, people counters, also known as footfall counters or customer counters, physically count the number of people entering and exiting a given space. They can be equipped at multiple entrances and display the number of people that are in, say, a retail store at a given time.

There are many different types of these devices, ranging from simple manual clickers to more involved systems that use machine learning and wifi connections to send real-time feedback. Even before COVID-19, these devices were used to assess foot traffic and evaluate the success of initiatives and marketing efforts.

#4 They Provide Contactless Systems of Completing Tasks

Many establishments — and individuals — are searching for ways to minimize actual physical contact, with some success. Some restaurants, for example, are prominently displaying QR codes on tables, so customers can simply scan the codes with their mobile device and access the menu online, without having to hold physical menus that have been touched by multiple people. This helps protect both the staff and patrons.

Businesses, too, are using room-scheduling systems, which enable individuals to reserve rooms online ahead of time to avoid overcrowding. While these systems have been in use for several years, they are becoming all the more important given the current circumstances.

#5 They Enable Telecommuting and Remote Communication

Many people are still not comfortable venturing outside their homes, whether that means going to work, attending school, or even meeting up with friends and family. And for those who want to maintain far more than six feet of distance between themselves and those outside their households, software development providers have risen to the challenge, leveraging solutions that have been around for years and creating new innovations.

Communication tools like Zoom, WebEx, and Skype enable colleagues to collaborate face-to-face — even at a physical distance. Many of these tools can also be used for instructing students and even in social situations. There are also more casual platforms for connecting in less formal settings, such as FaceTime for video phone calls and Slack for chatting and file-sharing.

We’re navigating unprecedented challenges and a never-before-seen landscape. Before we get to the other side, we’ll need to ensure that we are putting maximum effort and energy into protecting ourselves and others to do our part to combat the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing is a relatively easy measure we can all take — although it does require a fair amount of willpower.

With the help of technology, social distancing is becoming easier. We can make certain we’re keeping a physical distance from others and not putting their lives — and our own — at risk for catching a dangerous virus. These innovations may seem simple on the surface, but they can play a pivotal role in curbing a dangerous pandemic.