One of the North East’s top companies has developed new technology which companies can use to tell workers when they are compromising social distancing measures with their colleagues.
Blyth robotics company Tharsus, the reigning North East Company of the Year, has developed wearable technology - described as “like a Fitbit for safety” - that tells workers when they have come too close to another person.
The technology - called Bump - uses radio frequency technologies to create a personal motion system for staff.
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Tharsus hopes it will help employers develop the best way of keeping staff apart as they are encouraged to return to work - but only while maintaining social distancing measures.
Tharsus CEO Brian Palmer said: “’Do the right thing’ is our mantra and we wanted to help the country tackle a serious challenge. Social distancing is one the most important ways to slow down the spread of Covid-19, but it’s really hard to do well, especially at work where it’s absolutely vital.
“This is the first time in living memory that people have been told to stay home for their own safety. At the same time, the pandemic has forced businesses to re-consider their responsibility as employers, with the health of workforces now more than ever one of the most important metric facing leadership teams.
“We have created Bump to solve these two issues – to give people confidence that it’s possible to return to work safely, and provide employers with the assurances they need before they can open up responsibly.
“This is a simple, intuitive and friendly system specifically designed to get people working again by changing the behaviour of individuals and businesses – and in doing so help regenerate our economy.”
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Tharsus - which produces robots for the likes of Ocado and DHL - has worked with New Zealand company Virisient, a specialist in wireless connectivity, to develop Bump, along with Arca Blanca, a data company which helps businesses facing disruption find new new ways of working and new technologies.
The devices have been developed to be worn in designated workspaces, such as offices, warehouses, laboratories, manufacturing centres and canteens. Data from the devices on how workers have breached social distancing, and for how long, is encrypted and made available to staff and employers.
Tharsus estimates that Bump could help millions of people control their personal safety at work and allow many companies to accelerate their return-to-work strategies. It has tested the devices at its own Blyth factory and is producing 2,500 units so that a number of companies can help trial the technology.
Tharsus chief technology officer Dave Swan said: “We all agreed in the early stages of Bump’s development, that any product needed to help people feel safe. Today, this is as much about protecting privacy as it is helping people keep their distance.
“We designed Bump with this in mind and to ensure wearers don’t need to sacrifice data privacy. All data is available to an individual business and their team members alike. Everyone knows when the data is collected, why it’s being collected, and by whom.”