These technical developments could be driven by the Corona crisis.
As frightening and devastating as a crisis is - it has the potential to drive developments in a society faster. What developments that could be, in my opinion, and where new opportunities for technical innovations arise:
1. Homeoffice
For some, home office was a regular part of their work before the Corona crisis, but for many others it's a new experience. The flexibility that home office brings can be liberating, but in the long run it also brings new challenges. The line between work and leisure becomes blurred, and self-discipline becomes a critical factor.
Conferencing tools are booming at the moment, but this could be just the beginning. All applications that support the home office have great potential here to make life easier for many people - regardless of whether they promote exchange between colleagues or health in the home office, for example.
2. Digitalization of Education
Whether at school or university, for a long time it was felt that Germany had slept through the digitization of teaching. The Corona crisis, however, is shaking up the German education system, and suddenly pupils and students have to be provided with learning material at home and plan their learning phases independently more than ever before.
Any tools that facilitate communication between learners and between teachers and learners, provide learning materials in a clear manner, or promote self-organization and independent learning could be of interest here, for example. A digital classroom would also be conceivable.
3. Buy Everyday Products Online
In the Corona crisis, food delivery services are in high demand and it is difficult to get one of the coveted delivery dates at all - and this despite the fact that food delivery services have so far been used rather hesitantly in Germany. One obvious reason is that at the moment many people are trying to avoid going out the door as much as possible. However, it is likely that the trend will continue after the crisis, as many people have now reduced their inhibitions and prejudices against food delivery services and are learning to appreciate the benefits. But it is not just groceries that are increasingly being purchased online, but also other everyday products such as drugstore products or stamps.
Fast supply chains, smart online shopping experiences, closer cooperation with local retailers - these could be the success factors of tomorrow. Accordingly, concepts will be in demand that allow everyday products to be ordered quickly and easily online.
4. Online-Shopping-Boom
At a time when people are afraid to go outside their front door, they are increasingly shopping online instead of enjoying extensive shopping trips in busy shopping streets. At present, it is mainly the large mail-order companies that are benefiting from this, while local retailers are fearing for their existence due to temporary closures and restrictions.
Local, smaller retailers in particular need to consider how they develop concepts in order to remain competitive. There are already stores that offer video chat advice for their customers and that then ship the desired products to their customers. The big plus for these retailers: proximity to the customer and personal advice. Retail platforms with local retailers within individual cities could also develop. But the major mail order companies could also consider how to expand their online shopping experiences more and more - especially with regard to products that customers normally prefer to buy in brick-and-mortar stores.
5. Do not touch: More Language and Gesture Interfaces
Currently, it is better to come into contact with few surfaces in public spaces (e.g., on the bus or in the supermarket) to avoid smear infections. In principle, hygiene was a good idea even before the Corona era to protect against diseases, but now more than ever this is burned into people's minds.
This creates good conditions for the further spread of voice and gesture interfaces in public spaces that can avoid direct contact. A few classics like light switches with motion detectors or touchless public toilets have already been around for some time - but what about a voice interface when weighing fruit and vegetables or checking out at the self-service checkout? Or opening doors with a gesture? Technologies such as RFID chips could also be used here for identification.
6. Cashless Payment
We Germans are known for loving our cash. However, cash has recently fallen into disrepute as an ideal place for viruses and bacteria, and even withdrawing money from public automats makes us feel queasy. For the moment, it seems sensible to avoid cash and instead switch to bank transfers and contactless payments.
This development could drive new payment methods such as contactless payment with one's own smartphone (as is already common in China) or similar sophisticated systems. The issues of security and trust will play a crucial role here.
7. More Virtual Dates with Friends
For many weeks, circles of friends had to do without face-to-face meetings and are increasingly outsourcing them to virtual conferencing tools. One insight gained in recent weeks: In some cases, people see each other more often than in normal life, especially when the physical distance between friends is otherwise very large.
Tools that make virtual friend meetings even more fun by, for example, enriching them with games, encouraging joint activities or even randomly adding new people to the meeting would be interesting here. There are no limits to creativity here.
8. Connect People
The unword of the year for many is already "self-quarantine," also known by the hashtag #StayAtHome. It is one of the biggest challenges these days to cope with this kind of self-isolation and contact blocking. And there are numerous singles in Germany who have had hardly any direct human contact for weeks.
Here, too, tools could be used to bring more human closeness back into the home. Interactive objects that indicate the presence of another person, new types of online dating or the inclusion of friends via networks (e.g., while playing games or watching TV) could create a little more closeness here again.
9. Virtual Doctor's Office
There is probably no place more dreaded than a doctor's waiting room filled with coughing and sniffling patients who may come out sicker than they went in. This had bothered you a little before Corona, but the flu season wasn't as respect-inspiring as Corona. The government's measure that sick notes are currently also possible by telephone seems to make a lot of sense here.
If you think the principle further, you're quickly sitting in the virtual doctor's office for illnesses that don't directly require a physical examination. Like a flu-like infection, an upset stomach or recurring back pain. With one click, the doctor sends the sick note directly from the online conferencing tool to the health insurance company and the employer, and the prescription on to the pharmacy, which then delivers the required medication to the doorstep. Nice, a doctor's visit like that!
10. Digital Fitness
The local gym has closed, the running group is canceled - and now? There are numerous online offers and gadgets for staying fit during the crisis. From the digital gym, to the running app that compares the times of the distance run with friends, or the fitness tracker for enough steps per day. Digital fitness is booming at the moment.
And yet there is still a lot of potential for development here, such as more live streams of joint fitness workouts (also from local gyms) and means of improving self-motivation. Especially the virtual bringing together of like-minded people could become interesting here.
11. More Entertainment at Home
The Nintendo Switch game console has been sold out almost everywhere since the beginning of April. Apparently, supply bottlenecks also play a role here, but it is generally not surprising that game consoles are currently a sought-after item. After all, many people (including many children) are currently sitting at home and have a lot of time to spare. It is foreseeable that gaming could become a new hobby for many people in the near future. Especially for the young generation, which is now sitting in front of the console more and more.
Other types of home entertainment, such as setting up a home theater, could also be more in demand than ever in the near future. Streaming services are already part of everyday life for many people. But this year's blockbusters may also be premiered in the comfort of your own home.
There will probably be an increasing demand for entertainment products. VR and AR glasses may also experience a new upswing.
12. Travel in Virtual Realities
Finally, a thought to smile about that currently still sounds a bit like science fiction, but is within reach when it comes to implementation. Since traveling is currently taboo and will probably remain so for some time to come, or at least will be accompanied by a feeling of insecurity, VR glasses could be the answer. In this way, one could stroll through different cities and catch a glimpse without exposing oneself to any risk. The technology and systems already exist, they just haven't caught on yet. Corona could possibly change that.
No one currently knows how long the Corona crisis will drag on. However, we will not soon forget the experiences we have had to date. The principles of hygiene and #StayAtHome are anchored in our minds for the time being.
As designers of interactive systems, we have a hand in developing valuable solutions for our society. Let's be creative and contribute to make the best of the situation and drive innovation.
