Overview
CES® exhibitors are showing how the tech industry is coming together to innovate and address the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The coronavirus outbreak has thrust companies around the world into a period of innovation, opening opportunities for global powerhouses and budding entrepreneurs alike to reinvent their businesses and help their communities.
Throughout the years, CES® has been a platform for technology leaders to champion the power of technology and unveil solutions to the world’s challenges. As the world grapples with the effects of the current health crisis, here are some ways a few CES exhibitors have risen to the occasion to lend a hand during the outbreak.
3M
3M announced plans to provide $20 million in financial support to frontline health care workers, vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the virus and medical research initiatives.
Since January, 3M has shifted its supply chain to support N95 respirator demand and doubled production of the respirators to 1.1 billion per year. The company is working with governments to prioritize and redirect supplies to serve the most critical needs.
Fitbit
Fitbit is collaborating with The Scripps Research Institute and Stanford Medicine on research to see if wearable data can help detect, track and contain COVID-19. Fitbit users can help join studies and aid research by sharing their Fitbit data.
The company also announced a new Ready for Work solution to help employers with processes as staff return to the workplace during the pandemic. The solution provides employees with access to key health metrics from their Fitbit device along with exposure, symptom and temperature logging.
Impossible Foods
Food tech company Impossible Foods launched a program with food wholesaler Cheetah, a San Francisco-based e-commerce company offering contactless pickup of groceries and supplies. The partnership is the first time consumers can buy third-pound Impossible Burger patties as a bulk purchase.
Impossible Foods also launched resources to help their food service partners with challenges they might be facing during the pandemic.
John Deere
John Deere engineers developed new products to help make a difference for various coronavirus challenges. Divider screens for computer workstations can help employers as staff return to the workplace. Ear-saving mask straps help relieve the behind-the-ear irritation caused by wearing protective masks for extended periods of time.
From PVC covers to no-touch door openers, new John Deere designs are helping to protect their own employees as well as their customers.
Mitek
Audio company Mitek shifted its laser cutting machines and supplies to make free face shields for first responders.
The company altered its business model to help those in need, learning face shield designs from other companies. First responders, retirement homes and other communities in need are able to request the free face shields on Mitek’s website. All 300 Mitek employees were able to stay employed because of the shift.
Twitch
Global gaming leader Twitch brought the gaming community together for Twitch Stream Aid, a 12-hour charity stream benefitting the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO, powered by the United Nations Foundation. The event featured competitions and musical performances from celebrity artists. Twitch Stream Aid raised $2.7 million for the fund.
Companies are also using the Twitch platform to stream conferences, webinars, musical events and more as physical get-togethers are halted.
The technology industry has come together in the face of adversity. At CES 2021, see how some of these solutions addressing the current pandemic can be implemented in broader ways and what other tech innovations the companies have been developing.