As the
world is accepting to live the ‘new normal’ caused by the sudden outbreak of
Covid19 pandemic, technology around us is going to change in ways more than
one. While technology itself has been continuously evolving since ever, the
Covid19 pandemic is going to leave a lasting impression on this evolution as
well. The pandemic is going to change how we do business, how we trade, how we
work, how we produce goods, how we learn, how we seek medical services and how
we entertain ourselves; and technology will hold the answer to these questions.
We will see a contact-less society emerge post Covid19, which will transform
the way we interact, ensuring minimal human intervention. We will see a greater
focus on the evolution and rapid adoption of new-age technologies in both our
professional as well as personal lives, as innovations based on disruptive
technologies will assist in social distancing and maintaining hygienic
practices.
From
online shopping to e-learning, from contact-less payments to a greater usage of
drones and robots for surveillance and deliveries, we are going to witness a
transformation like never before. Automation is going to find a wider
acceptance and much needed investments. Technologies and businesses around
autonomous vehicles, autonomous warehouses, robotics, drone-delivery systems,
and 3D-enabled manufacturing are going to be in the fast lane to adoption.
Here are
5 key technology trends we are going to witness in the post Covid19 world:
·
E-commerce and Robot Deliveries - COVID-19
has transformed online shopping from a good-to-have to a must-have around the world.
But ecommerce needs to be supported by a robust logistics system. Since
deliveries by humans are not virus-proof, many delivery companies and
restaurants in the US and China are
attempting robot deliveries. However, before robot delivery services become
prevalent, delivery companies need to establish clear protocols to safeguard
the sanitary condition of delivered goods. As per KPMG, more than 82 per cent
of consumers intend to buy from brands which have taken measures to improve
their product and supply chain hygiene.
·
Digital and Contactless Payments - Since
currency bills carry a risk of virus transmission, contactless digital
payments, either in the form of cards or e-wallets will become the norm so as
to avoid the spread of COVID-19.As per Statista estimate, total transactions
through digital payments will reach US$4,769,370m in the year 2020 that is a
growth of 15% YoY. COVID-19 has acted as a catalyst in the growth of digital
payments. In India, though the digital payment transactions dropped by 30% in
the first month of the pandemic owing to lockdown, but industries where
transaction were happening like utilities, online donations and entertainment
witnessed increase in the number of digital payments.
·
Robots and drones - This
pandemic has provided a strong push to adoption of robots and drones in
multiple areas. From drones being used to disinfect areas to robots providing
food and medicines to patients, we are already seeing it all!
·
Telehealth - Telehealth has
emerged as an effective tool in fight against COVID-19. While wearable
IoT-enabled devices can track vital signs, teleconsultations can make initial
diagnoses based on symptoms identified by patients, providing essential primary
care.
·
Virtual
gyms & Wellness centres - COVID-19 has created a new market
for virtual gyms and wellness centres almost overnight with multiple websites
and apps being launched to replace physical gym coach and yoga instructors.
These apps are using advanced technologies for doing real-time physical
exercises with your new “virtual” friends and tracking your physical exercises
using camera technologies. This new business is posed for a steep growth in
times to come in this new world.
·
Work-from-home - Due to
the lockdowns imposed in large parts of the world, many organizations have
asked employees to work from home. Backed by technologies like VPNs, VoIP,
virtual meetings, cloud technology, work collaboration tools and even facial
recognition technologies, work-from-home has indeed started emerging as a more
productive model for many businesses. Besides, working from home also saves
commute time and provides more flexibility to employees. However, there isn’t a
one-size-fits-all approach here due to varying nature of business of
organizations across the globe.
We will
also see a greater adoption of deep-tech solutions based on Virtual Reality
& Augmented Reality enabling work-from-home, distance learning, home-based
fitness and immersive entertainment making it a part of the new normal.
However, along with it will come a greater scrutiny around aspects like
cyber-security, privacy, and data localization, and it is expected that we will
see a greater redressal of these concerns as well.
Being
one of the fastest growing economies, India has the most unique offering
– its young and talented workforce. And this workforce will hold the key to
these innovations for a smarter world ahead. We need to understand that Covid19
is not in itself inventing this new world, however, it is the catalyst that is
fast bringing the new order to the forefront. As people will switch towards
digital/online interfaces for every service possible in the post Covid19 era,
we at NXP will be right there, enabling that ecosystem by establishing secure
connections for a smarter world.
BY SANJAY GUPTA, VICE PRESIDENT &
INDIA COUNTRY MANAGER, NXP SEMICONDUCTORS