Building owners and managers around the globe are taking actions to support building re-occupancy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. These are some of the solutions already developed to help buildings to re-open taking into considerations challenges such as social distancing and contact tracing.
-Honeywell
Honeywell recently announced new additions to its Healthy Buildings Safety & Security solution, with the aim of helping building owners comply with social distancing and mask guidelines.
Using deep learning artificial intelligence video analytics, the Honeywell Pro-Watch and MAXPRO Network Video Recorders (NVR) and Video Management Systems (VMS) can now use existing cameras to identify if building occupants are complying with guidelines around social distancing and wearing masks, the company said.
The advanced analytics can isolate and report any instances of non-compliance to buildings and facilities managers, Honeywell said.
The social distancing and mask detection metrics will be integrated into the Honeywell #HealthyBuildings Score analytics that provide building owners, operators and occupants with information on key building metrics.
-Johnson Controls
Smart building company Johnson Controls said it plans to launch a comprehensive suite of digital solutions, called OpenBlue Healthy Buildings, to make shared spaces safer as people begin to return to offices.
The company claims that these solutions will ?protect and instill confidence? in building occupants and visitors, minimize disruption should employees test positive for COVID-19 and accelerate building re-occupancy by automating and streamlining safety protocols.
Additionally, Johnson Controls said, customers will be able to maximize occupancy targets while maintaining safety, understand how their spaces are used and repurposed easily based on data, and help employees be more productive when they are in the office.
OpenBlue Healthy Building solutions, which are integrated but can also be deployed modularly, include a combination of hardware and software ? such as smart equipment, digital sensors, security systems, cameras, monitors, analytics and dashboards, infection control and other connected devices ? as well as a mobile app to manage spaces and occupant experiences.
The suite also features a mobile app that helps engage employees and occupants in real-time by providing updates about shared spaces and new policies, preferred wayfinding to avoid crowded areas, space availability and safety details, phone as badge access, SOS response, rotational schedule support, health attestation and self-reporting options.
-Polte
Polte, which focuses on Cloud Location over Cellular (C-LoC) technology, has launched Polte Proximity, a solution that delivers secure social distancing and contact tracing to support organizations returning to work safely amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company noted that the new solution does not require added infrastructure or application downloads to employee phones. Polte Proximity leverages centralized management within Polte?s existing asset tracking platform, the Polte IoT Cloud, to enable rapid deployment and automate safety protocol compliance, according to the company.
The Polte Proximity solution is comprised of a small, rechargeable mobile IoT device worn together with an employee?s existing ID badge or facility access card, the Polte IoT Cloud, and actionable analytics accessible from a standard web browser.
With the new solution, an employee can press a button on the mobile IoT sensor to immediately and privately notify their employer of unsafe conditions in any area of a company facility, indoors or outdoors.
-IBM
IBM has unveiled Watson Works, a set of products that embeds Watson artificial intelligence (AI) models and applications to help companies navigate many aspects of the return-to-workplace challenge following lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
IBM noted that Watson Works provides data-driven insights to help employers make informed decisions on workplace re-entry, facilities management, space allocation and other COVID-related priorities.
IBM said that Watson Works is designed to help companies to manage facilities and optimize space allocation by using real-time data provided by the employer including Wi-Fi, cameras, Bluetooth beacons and mobile phones. This data, collected in a way that is designed to preserve employees? privacy, will enable managers to quickly reallocate spaces, designate no-go zones, arrange for cleaning and monitor crowding, social distancing and mask-wearing, IBM said.
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