Here’s a look at some of the COVID-19 technologies showcased at CES 2021

THE INTERNET – From COVID-19 home testing to a variety of tech-infused face masks, the coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape for this year’s Consumer Electronics Conference.

CES, one of the biggest tech events of the year, typically drew thousands of people to Las Vegas, but the pandemic has forced operations online with its first 100% virtual conference held this week.

The pandemic not only changed the way the conference was organized, but it also inspired exhibitors to create and showcase technologies created to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s a look at some of the products designed with the pandemic in mind this year at CES 2021.

Bluetooth compatible face mask

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended wearing a mask to limit the spread of the new coronavirus last spring, it has become a part of daily life.

But many have since noticed that there may be a few awkward parts on the face, like talking on the phone, which becomes a problem as sounds can be muffled under the mask.

Enter MaskFone, a face mask with built-in Bluetooth headphones that last up to 12 hours on a single charge.

The cloth mask is washable (remove the headphones first) and can also contain a filter.

It comes in multiple sizes and prices start at around $ 50.

Automated temperature scanner

In the era of COVID-19, temperature checks have become standard practice. Typically, a person takes each person’s temperature before they are allowed to enter a business or event. The creators of GateDoc, a non-contact, automated temperature scanner, wanted to streamline the process and therefore designed a machine that scans a person’s temperature before allowing entry into a business or event.

The machine will recognize when a person approaches it and measure body temperature via the forehead, so it can be used with or without a face mask. It completes the temperature sweep in 0.05 seconds.

If a person’s temperature reaches the threshold, he is allowed to enter; if not, the machine will beep and alert the manager via an app.

A more expensive version of the machine also comes with a touchless hand sanitizer dispenser.

Prices start at around 300 euros, or around $ 365.

Portable COVID-19 Detection Sticker

The BioButton, a health monitoring sticker created by BioIntelliSense, sticks to a person’s chest and can screen a person for COVID-19 for months at a time.

Disposable, coin-sized wearable technology is designed to track user’s vital signs – such as resting heart rate, respiratory rate, and skin temperature – with medical-grade accuracy. The sticker can monitor a person for 90 days through an app, which sends the readings over Bluetooth.

The button can collect data and use it to determine if a person might be showing symptoms of a possible new coronavirus infection.

The technology is being used by UCHealth in Colorado to monitor healthcare workers who have received COVID-19 vaccines, and BioIntelliSense recently announced its collaboration with the American College of Cardiology. In May, the College of Cardiology will allow its conference attendees to try the BioButton.

The sticker is not available for individual purchase, but organizations can apply online to purchase the buttons.

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