One of the 海角视频’s top sporting events will take place this weekend despite the Covid-19 pandemic, thanks to the pioneering creation of a Northumberland robotics company.
Blyth-based Tharsus already has a long list of big name clients, including online grocer Ocado which uses the engineering firm’s robots in its picking centres.
Now the company can add the London Marathon 2020 to its impressive roster, after its Bump device – a sideline product launched in lockdown to aid social distancing – was enlisted to make the event possible.
The former North East company of the year has formed a partnership with the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon that will see its Bump technology system used to implement social-distancing during the build-up period and at the event on Sunday.
The 40th edition of the annual race will be the only major marathon to take place anywhere in the world since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.
But while a record 42,549 runners finished the race around the capital last year, restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic will see just elite races take place in a secure biosphere environment in St James’s Park, making 19.8 laps of the screened-off circuit.
Tharsus’s Bump devices are being worn by the 100 elite athletes preparing to take part in the men’s, women’s and wheelchair races. They will also be worn by 500 members of the Marathon’s operational team to help maintain the biosecure bubble for the event, including by all staff at the event hotel.
Tharsus designed and manufactured Bump, which is described as “like a Fitbit for safety”, in just eight weeks. The new technology, which has already been snapped up by a raft of companies, is worn around the neck and uses radio frequency to create a personal motion system, telling other people when they have come too close.
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Bump devices also compile wearer data, which allows organisations to identify which wearers have interacted with each other in the event of a positive case and take rapid action to prevent further transmission and local outbreaks.
Tharsus said social-distancing technology can play a role in giving society confidence to safely interact, including facilitating sporting events to support clubs and organisations in dire need of revenue.
CEO Brian Palmer said: “With fresh Government restrictions being regularly re-introduced, it’s crucial that we adopt measures where possible that help us convene safely and allow society to retain a sense of normality.
“Despite being behind closed doors, many sports fixtures and events continue to take place, highlighting that the industry is leading the way in using technology to continue operating safely.
“This will not only provide vital support to clubs and organisations suffering a significant impact on their revenue but have a huge boost for national morale. The Virgin Money London Marathon is a foremost example of this; it is a hugely symbolic sporting event and we are delighted to be playing a role in facilitating its delivery in such challenging circumstances.”
Hugh Brasher, event director at the London Marathon, said: “This weekend’s event is the culmination of months of planning around how to deliver a socially distanced 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon that is safe for all participants and stakeholders. Tharsus’ Bump technology has played an important role, giving our athletes and internal teams extra confidence to engage with the event safely.
“We have been working with Tharsus for many months and, when we were still hoping to deliver the mass participation event on its usual route, we were planning to supply all participants with the Bump technology in order to hold a socially-distanced mass event. It shows how important a role technology can play in the current situation.”
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Olympic medal winner Steve Cram, who will be commentating on the race at the weekend, added: “I’m just pleased that it’s happening. The Bump technology is something they’ve been wearing since they arrived - all of the staff, all of the atheletes, everybody connected with the event - to track their interaction with each other. If you become ill in the period since everyone’s arriving then you know you’ve been close to and they can take appropriate action.
“They’ve taken every single possible precaution and with this Bump technology, I know Hugh was keen that perhaps this mass event could take place.”
A virtual version of the marathon will see 45,000 runners from across the 海角视频 and the world run the race their way. Participants will have 23 hours 59 minutes and 59 seconds from midnight on Saturday to complete the 26.2 miles, which they can choose to run, walk or jog.