Quebec-based regional service Vidéotron’s enterprise arm has launched a brand new product designed to assist folks keep bodily distance within the office.
Dubbed Radius, the brand new wristband makes use of vibration and light-weight to alert the wearer in the event that they get too shut to a different particular person. Vidéotron’s website explains that Radius information proximity interactions between wristbands and that companies will have the ability to use this to hint worker interactions in the event that they check constructive for COVID-19.
It’s essential to notice the wristband doesn’t use geolocation. As a substitute, wristbands function on Bluetooth equally to Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification system in smartphones. The Canadian authorities makes use of that very same system as the muse for its COVID Alert app, which makes use of Bluetooth to detect and anonymously file occasions of proximity and warn customers in the event that they probably develop into uncovered to somebody with COVID-19. To be clear, Vidéotron’s band could be very totally different from COVID Alert, however using Bluetooth to watch proximity is comparable.
Since Radius is designed to be used in a enterprise, there’s a little bit extra happening than what’s behind COVID Alert and comparable smartphone-based techniques. For instance, companies may also set up ‘gateways’ all through totally different workplace areas like the doorway, cafeteria or espresso machine. The wristbands periodically transmit interactions to those gateways, which make the knowledge obtainable by way of a web based portal. That portal can then be used to type inner motion plans if somebody checks constructive for COVID-19.
The portal supplies data like whether or not the wristbands synced with the gateways within the final 24 hours, the succession of shut contact inside your organization and a search part with a historical past of wristbands that had been too shut collectively.
For these nervous about privateness, Vidéotron says the Radius wristband makes use of an nameless ID when recording incidents of proximity and that the information isn’t shared with Vidéotron. As a substitute, it’s “privileged data reserved” for the enterprise utilizing the wristbands.
Lastly, Vidéotron says the Radius wristbands had been designed and manufactured completely in Quebec.
The Radius Wristband grew to become obtainable for buy by Quebec companies beginning September 24th. Vidéotron gives two tiers for companies: the primary consists of simply the wristbands at $100 per band. There isn’t a entry to the net administration portal, however the bands can nonetheless alert staff in the event that they get too shut to one another. There’s additionally ‘Radius Professional,’ which prices $10 per wristband per 30 days and consists of the gateways and entry to the net portal. Companies can place their Radius orders here.
These can be taught extra about Radius on the Vidéotron Business website.
