Antwerp to use digital ‘COVID-19 bracelets’ in pandemic fight

The Port of Antwerp will use digital bracelets to stop infections of coronavirus in its logistics and heavy industry operations.

The new ‘Covid braclet’ is aimed at helping social distancing, whenever employees come too close to one another they get a warning signal.

By introducing the bracelet, the Port of Antwerp will become the first business to use the innovation developed by Dutch technology company Rombit.

In a statement, Rombit insisted that user privacy is guaranteed as the bracelet never passes on employee location or other sensitive information to the employer.

Port of Antwerp CEO Jacques Vandermeiren said: “Innovation and digital transformation are crucial in times of crisis such as these. It is essential to keep the port operational, and to ensure that our employees can work safely.

“We therefore see great potential in this solution and will shortly start trials with a team of operatives.”

Rombit CEO John Baekelmans also commented: “The new ‘1.5 metre economy’ depends on reliable aids.

“We are therefore making huge efforts to get the modified bracelet onto the mass market in large quantities, so that we can contribute towards getting the economy safely restarted. There is already great international interest.”

https://www.porttechnology.org/news/antwerp-to-use-digital-covid-19-bracelets-in-pandemic-fight/