New corona countermeasures - New technology developments one after another such as hand free operating panel

Recently NHK News On-line reported the following:

新型コロナ対策 手を触れずに操作 パネルなど新技術開発相次ぐ

2020年6月7日 14時22分

 新型コロナウイルスの感染防止につなげようと、手を触れずに操作できる液晶パネルなど、手を清潔に保つための新たな技術開発が相次いでいます。

 電子部品大手のアルプスアルパインは、画面に手を触れずに操作できる液晶パネルの開発を進め、来年の製品化を目指しています。

 画面の内側に静電気を感知するセンサーを備えていて、3センチほどの距離で指を動かすことで、タッチパネルに触れるのと同じように画面を切り替えたり、ボタンを選択したりできるということです。

 医療機関や介護施設向けに開発を進めていましたが、新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大を受けて、ビルのエレベーターや公共施設のトイレなどの操作に採用したいという問い合わせが増えているということです。

 一方、富士通は、カメラの映像を通して手や指の動きを読み取り、正しく手洗いできているかを確認するＡＩ＝人工知能を開発しました。

手をこすり合わせる回数や爪の間も洗っているかなどを自動で細かく確認し、十分でなければ注意を促すこともできるということで、食品メーカーや医療機関のほかイベント会場向けなどにも販売する方針です。

 富士通研究所のシニアリサーチャー、鈴木源太さんは「新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大で人々の衛生環境への意識が高まっているので、生活支援に向けた開発を強化したい」と話していました。

Translation

In order to prevent infection by the new coronavirus, new technologies were being developed one after another to keep hands clean, such as LCD panels that could be operated without touching.

 Alps Alpine, a major electronic component company, was developing a liquid crystal panel that could be operated without touching the screen, and was aiming for commercialization next year.

 It had a sensor that could detect static electricity inside the screen, and by moving your finger about a 3 cm distance, you could switch screens and select buttons in the same way as you touch the touch panel.

 While there was promotion in the development for medical institutions and nursing care facilities, but in response to the spread of the new coronavirus, there were increasing inquiries to use it for operations such as elevators in buildings and toilets in public facilities.

 On the other hand, Fujitsu had developed AI = Artificial Intelligence, which could read the movements of the hands and fingers through the image of the camera and make sure that you're washing your hands properly.

 It could automatically check the number of times you rubbed your hands and whether you were washing between your finger nails. If  the washing was not enough, it could call your attention to it. The policy was to sell them to food manufacturers and medical institutions in addition to  event venues.

 Mr. Genta Suzuki, a senior researcher at Fujitsu Laboratories, said, "Since the spread of new coronavirus infection is increasing people's awareness of the sanitary environment, we would like to strengthen our development toward life supporting."

               So, in view of the new corona, Japanese companies are developing new technology one after another in order to make life easier.