As the spread of the coronavirus eases, companies around the world are looking for ways to resume business operations in a safe and secure manner. Adhering to the minimum physical distance guidelines between employees plays a key role. To make this possible, KINEXON, a global leader in highly-precise real-time localization, is launching an innovative solution: KINEXON SafeZone. The core element is a wristband that actively warns the user as soon as the minimum physical distance to another person is compromised. With optional software, companies can also trace chains of infection and take strategic action. KINEXON SafeZone is immediately available as a plug-and-play solution with no infrastructure required – even for large industrial companies. Other advantages include highly-accurate real-time precision, strong data protection and fast scaling options.
Keep a minimum distance – that is the precautionary measure that has been advised to protect employees and ensure a successful restart and reliable operation. Numerous studies and expert opinion prove that this rule is important. The distance between two people, as well as the duration of their contact, significantly influences the risk of infection. With reliable and accurate information on distances and contact events, companies can minimize the risk for their employees. In the event of illness, they can track the chain of infection and react quickly.
KINEXON offers the first large-scale, industrial digital solution to combat the coronavirus
In order to be able to collect this information, KINEXON now offers a reliable, extensively tested solution: KINEXON SafeZone. “To fight the coronavirus, we have established a task force to develop KINEXON SafeZone.”, said Dr. Alexander Hüttenbrink, Co-Founder and Managing Director of KINEXON. “We want to help customers secure jobs and protect the health of their employees. SafeZone is the first digital industrial solution for the mass market that actively reduces infections. Instead of complete quarantines, which ultimately means a standstill in the company, we enable prevention strategies by maintaining minimum distances and precisely tracing infection chains”.
KINEXON SafeZone overview
The solution is now available in two versions:
- Basic version for real-time warning: The basic version of KINEXON SafeZone mainly consists of the KINEXON SafeTag, a wearable with an ultra-precise sensor for reliable distance measurement. The sensor warns in real time, audibly as well as visually, as soon as the physical distance has been compromised and the contact duration exceeds a specified time (e.g. > 5 sec.). The KINEXON SafeTag uses ultra-wideband (UWB) technology and can be worn flexibly and comfortably as a wristband or clipped onto clothing.
- Extended version for data protection compliant tracking of contact chains: The wearable can be extended by software on request. This enables the storage of relevant data relating to critical contact events (e.g.<6 feet for >5 seconds) and allows for analysis, which is compliant with data protection regulations. In the event of a positive infection report, potential cases of infection can quickly be identified using the relevant sensor IDs. Due to the high precision of the solution, only realistic cases of infection are recorded and the number of employees that need to be isolated is reduced to a minimum. KINEXON does not process any personal data.
KINEXON SafeZone is already widely applicable
KINEXON SafeZone is available and ready for companies now. “The solution is applicable for all places where people are around – from factories to offices”, says Dr. Oliver Trinchera, co-founder and managing director of KINEXON. He emphasizes that good protection doesn’t have to be expensive: “We offer digital protection that is superior to analog, and at lower cost. While a qualitative mask costs 90 cents to one euro per day and employee, the SafeTag costs 60 to 90 cents per day”.
Since no infrastructure is required, a fast implementation and flexible scaling of the solution across production environments or office areas is possible. Furthermore, the solution is superior to the smartphone not only in terms of accuracy but also in terms of data protection. By using UWB, all data is 10 times more accurate compared to solutions based on Bluetooth or WLAN. In addition, UWB technology is characterized by the fact that it does not interfere with other radio technologies (e.g. Bluetooth, LTE or WLAN).