Port of Antwerp is teaming up with the tech company Rombit to prevent corona infection on the workfloor. Rombit has developed the Romware Covid Radius, a digital bracelet that ensures social distancing and permits contact tracing. Port of Antwerp will be the first to use this innovative bracelet.
Antwerp Port Authority is first to test
To produce this armband Rombit has added new functions to its existing safety bracelet, the Romware ONE. This will help employees to observe the strict precautions laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO) while respecting the privacy of the wearer. The initiative is also a response to the call by the Flemish Government to create digital solutions for helping society through the current corona crisis. Port of Antwerp, which recently introduced a project with the Romware ONE safety bracelet, will be the first to make use of the Covid functions.
Social distancing and contact tracing
The new Covid bracelet is aimed in the first place at social distancing. Whenever employees come too close to one another they first get a warning signal. However privacy is guaranteed: the Covid Wearable never passes on the location or other sensitive information to the employer.
At the same time the bracelet permits contact tracing: if someone happens to be infected then a health advisor or trusted confidant can check which work colleagues the person has come in contact with, in order to prevent further infection.
Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Port of Antwerp: “Innovation and digital transformation are crucial in times of crisis. It is essential that the port continues to operate and that our employees can work in a safe manner. That is why we see great value in this solution and a team of operational employees will soon be working with the bracelet. ”
John Baekelmans, CEO Rombit: “The new 1.5 meter economy is based on reliable tools. We are therefore doing everything we can to get the modified safety bracelet on the market as soon as possible in a large edition, so that we can contribute to a safe restart for the economy. The international interest is already enormous. ”
Port ships Annick De Ridder: “It is of fundamental importance that our economy can return to full speed as soon as possible and that we focus on ways to ensure that this restart is completed safely. As a port of Antwerp, we are happy to contribute by taking on our social role and functioning as a testing ground for technological innovation. ”