The announcement by Apple and Google to jointly develop technology that detects the spread of the Covid-19 virus via smartphones prompted the Udini R&D team to think about how smart buildings could also support this 'contact tracing'.
What Apple and Google propose
The proposed solution works on the basis of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), where smartphones send messages in the background. These regularly changing messages make it possible to detect which devices have been in each other's vicinity for a certain period of time. The messages are forwarded to the cloud, but contain no further information about the persons involved or the location. When a user later indicates to be infected with the virus, these messages are temporarily marked as 'infected'. Devices that have detected these messages themselves display a warning to the user. Neither the users, Apple or Google exchange personal information.
How smart buildings can respond
Apple's and Google's solution makes connections between users who have been in each other's neighborhood. This only works if those persons have been in each other's vicinity for sufficient time. It therefore does not work for other danger zones such as door handles or lift buttons where there is also a risk without immediate proximity. Our R&D team saw the opportunity to make the smart building part of this Corona tracing network. In this way, users who have been in the same location as a person who was subsequently found to be infected can also send a message with a warning.
Udini as enabler for Covid-19 tracing in smart buildings
Udini offers a contactless access control solution, where keys and badges are replaced by a digital badge on a smartphone. As with contactless payment, users can gain access to buildings without physical touch, especially if automated doors are available such as sliding doors.
Udini uses a hardware component, the Udini Sensor. We now want to make this sensor part of the Covid-19 contact tracing network. This way we can warn visitors of the same buildings within a limited timeframe of possible contamination risks!
Feedback or even want to participate? Please contact us via info@udini.eu or send me a message via LinkedIn!
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Udini is a registered trademark and product of IxorTalk cvba. IxorTalk is a specialised IoT partner for governments, companies and individuals. More information and contact via ixortalk.com or info@udini.eu.
