CES 2021 showcases masks, sensors and other tech to help fight COVID-19

This story is part of THESE, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the hottest gadgets from fully virtual CES 2021.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed lives around the world over the past year, forcing changes in the way we live, work and even eat. At this week’s annual CES show, tech companies are discussing various ways to fight COVID-19 through face masks, disinfectants, air purifiers and non-contact technologies.

Companies understand that no technology can win the battle against the virus, which is why many of them are positioned as part of the new normal in which life is transformed. One of those companies, Plott, built a doorbell called Ettie that can take people’s temperatures before they’re allowed in. Another, Alarm.com, created a contactless video doorbell in an effort to reduce the transmission of bacteria and viruses that we often leave in the places we touch.

It’s “another way to stay alert and protect each other,” Alarm.com said.

There are robots that radiate ultraviolet light for disinfecting high traffic and high traffic areas in a corporate office, retail store or restaurant. There are sensors that stick to your body to detect flu symptoms with near hospital accuracy. And there is a mask that has a built-in microphone so that you can always take a call and be easily heard when you keep your mask on. Its name, rightly so, is MaskFone. “MaskFone is a daily essential that protects you and anyone you meet from harmful bacteria, viruses and pollution.”

These new coronavirus-fighting products are just the latest way in which technology is becoming a key part of modern life. Over the past year, countries around the world have instituted health lockdowns, pushed workers to work remotely, and asked families from different households to stay separate. As many people followed these guidelines, they turned to video conferencing, social networking and messaging apps to keep in touch.

They used phones powered by Apple and Google software to help each other when exposed to the virus. And governments have created websites to help people avoid getting sick and identify when they might be.

Many tech companies see this moment as an opportunity to prove their worth, despite years of privacy and political scandals that have damaged their reputations and eroded the trust of their customers.

Armed with more power and money than nearly any industry in history, the tech industry says it sees a call to help.

“Our mission is to create products that play a meaningful role in people’s lives,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during one of the company’s live presentations in November. For 2021, he proclaimed that Apple would do even more.

It’s important to keep in mind, however, that new products presented at CES are often still in the development stage. Health products in particular may not have independent studies to back up their claims.

However, these new products offer a see what will happen and what might help make life a little easier during this crisis.

More masks

While the MaskFone is convenient for workers, there are other health-focused mask technologies available as well.

One of those masks is the AirPop Active +, a smart mask that comes with a sensor that tracks your breathing and mixes it with local air quality data to identify when you need to replace your filter. AirPop, the company behind the mask, said its masks would be offered this month for $ 150.

Another, Amazfit, has built a clear disinfectant mask that claims to clean its filters with built-in UV lamps within 10 minutes.

Perhaps the flashiest mask at the show came from gaming computer and accessory maker Razer. This company announced Project Hazel, a transparent mask with a built-in microphone, lights, and a speaker that help people see and hear you more easily when you speak.

It has other frills like silicone edges to help create an airtight seal and sterilization case. Razer did not say when it would become available.

If standard filtration is not enough for you, LG can put an air purifier on your face. The PuriCare mask has a built-in HEPA filter, fans to move the air and sensors. It runs on battery power, lasts up to eight hours, and takes around two hours to charge via USB-C.

The device also comes with a case that disinfects the mask with UV lamps in 30 minutes. So far, it’s only sold in Asia and the Middle East, and LG hasn’t said when the mask will hit US markets or how much it will cost.

In the air

Air filtration is another way tech companies believe they can help fight the coronavirus. The Luft Duo, for example, is a battery-powered air purifier that claims to clean the air around you. He does this with a combination of disposable HEPA filters and UV light. It’s about the size of a pompom head for your car’s dashboard.

Another, CleanAirZone, built an air filter that uses “natural biotics and enzymes derived from nature” rather than traditional filters. Whether this actually does anything meaningful remains to be seen.

During this time, Airthings built a sensor called Wave Plus, which tracks carbon dioxide levels, humidity and temperature, which could help identify the likelihood of virus transmission. The Wave Plus is designed for offices while the smaller Wave Mini is intended for home use.

However, all of these technologies are not enough on their own. The Environmental Protection Agency has said it cannot protect you against COVID-19 on its own. He says people should use it in addition to “other best practices recommended by CDC and others.”

Light the way

Robots and masks built with UV light as a disinfectant. There are also refrigerators that use UV light to sanitize your water while it is being dispensed.

That’s the idea behind LG’s InstaView line of refrigerators, which – as the name suggests – have a semi-transparent glass window on the door that lights up when you double knock on the glass. And the new models announced during CES got a some COVID-19 upgrades.

In addition to the UV disinfectant, the refrigerator also has a microphone and a speaker, so you can say “open the refrigerator door”, and that’s exactly what you do. LG didn’t say how much they would cost, but previous LG premium refrigerators cost as much as $ 4,000.

The companies also offer UV light products for cars. Automotive supplier GHSP announced Grenlite UV system for everyday cars. It is already in use in emergency service vehicles, public transportation, and commercial vehicles.

“GHSP’s Grenlite system aims to provide drivers with greater peace of mind that their car is safe and free from germs,” GHSP said in a statement.

Contactless throne

Pandemic technology has already reached our faces, our phones, our food and our air – it was only a matter of time before it appeared in our bathrooms as well.

Kohler built a toilet that blushes with a wave of his hand, for example. You can live out your Jedi pandemic dreams for up to $ 1,000 starting in March.

The company also has a $ 3,100 toilet with a few extra features including automatic opening and closing, a remote control, and a luxury bidet.

We will be on the lookout for more COVID-19 combat technologies throughout the week. So stay tuned to CNET for more information on CES.

The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended for health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.