As the pandemic began to deepen in mid-March of 2020, inventions that were once impractical or unthinkable also began to emerge. In the wake of the pandemic, we present to you some of the most successful pandemic inventions.    

1.     The Non-Fungible Token

During the midst of Covid-19, the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) became increasingly popular as a way for artists to digitize and sell their work. Artists around the world began to sell pictures and videos as NFTs, not only to make money but to market their creations. As the NFT market began to grow, one NFT known as “The Merge,” which was a collective piece of digital art, sold in total for $91.8 million. So, the moral of the story is that if you want to become instantly rich, find a way to sell an NFT for $91.8 million.

2.     Driving Delivery Robots

Have you ever watched the movie WALL-E and thought to yourself, “wow, I am glad this is just a movie?” Well, if so, then it may be time to rethink the past with this next successful pandemic invention, the driving delivery robot. The pandemic sparked the need for robotic innovation, and as concerns of Covid-19 grew, people wanted to avoid . . . well, people . . . so they looked to the next best thing—a self-driving robot to deliver their food. If there is one thing to love about this (aside from impending world domination by robots) it’s the thought of being able to avoid that awkward delivery conversation while you are signing the receipt.

3.     Hands-Free Door Handles

Did you think that the most important thing about a handle is that you can use your hand to open something? I mean “hand” is literally in the name—"HAND-le.” If you thought so, then you will be in for a surprise with the hands-free door handle. Hands-free door “handles” (if we can call them that) have become increasingly popular as people want to avoid touching common surfaces with their hands due to the dangers of Covid. These “handles” remove the need to use your hand by allowing you to open a door with your arms. I for one am all for this invention; the only question left to ask is what should the new name be, perhaps “ARM-le?”

4.     Virtual Doctor’s Appointment

If you hate sitting in the doctor’s office, then this next invention is for you. A virtual doctor’s appointment allows a doctor to help treat you from the comfort of your own home through live video feed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The next time you are feeling ill, don’t bother getting out of bed. Just schedule an appointment, grab your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and start feeling better soon without ever leaving your home. 

5.     Video Conferencing

From work, to school, to visits with the family, video conferencing services, such as Zoom®, Microsoft Teams®, Slack® and others have been helping people communicate since 2011. However, since the start of the pandemic, video conferencing services have become an increasingly popular way to navigate life inside a bubble. Universities and Companies around the world have been employing video conferencing services to help them go fully remote and online to reduce exposure to Covid. In fact, in March of 2020, for example, the number of active users on Zoom® increased 151%. The ability to work from home has become increasingly popular, so if you aren’t familiar with video conferencing services, you may be soon.

6.     Robot Dogs

Picture this, you have been stuck inside all pandemic and hope to finally get some fresh air with a relaxing picnic at the park. You lay down your blanket, grab your food, and enjoy the gentle breeze from the wind. Suddenly, you spot a yellow dog, but not just any yellow dog, it’s a robot dog. The robot dog created by Boston Dynamics® has been seen in Singapore parks giving park goers a friendly reminder to social distance. Among other things, the robot dog has even been used to maintain social distancing between sick people and hospital staff workers by using an attached live video feed. The staff workers are then able to remotely control the dog to interact with patients. If you are ever in the market for a Covid conscious dog, the Boston Dynamics® robot dog might be the perfect pet for you.

7.     Virus Killing Snood

Three years ago, no one ever thought that wearing a mask would become a part of everyday life; nevertheless, it has become an essential part of many people’s wardrobes. Additionally, people now are always looking for ways to better protect themselves against Covid. The Virustatic Shield™ may be a solution to that problem. The shield is designed to be easy to wear and provide 360 degree and 96% protection against viruses in the air, including Covid. If you are someone who wears a mask daily and wants to better protect themselves from Covid, you may want to give this virus-killing snood a try.

For many inventors around the world, the pandemic sparked innovation, but is there anything you invented during the pandemic that made living life in a bubble easier?

Citations:

Case, John. “Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Slack Have Exploded Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Can They Hold onto This Growth?” GLG, 6 Dec. 2021, https://glginsights.com/articles/zoom-microsoft-teams-and-slack-have-exploded-due-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-can-they-hold-onto-this-growth/.

Carrington Textiles (2021, June 24). Manufacturing the fabric for a virus killing snood. HSI. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.hsimagazine.com/personal-protective-equipment/manufacturing-the-fabric-for-a-virus-killing-snood/

“Coronavirus: Robot Dog Enforces Social Distancing in Singapore Park.” BBC News, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-52619568.

Kretchmer, H. (2020, June 26). From dining pods to see-through masks: 6 Ways Innovations are helping in the pandemic. World Economic Forum. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/06/inventions-coronavirus-covid19-innovation/

POLITICO Staff. (2021, December 10). 17 pandemic innovations that are here to stay. POLITICO. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/10/17-ways-covid-hit-fast-forward-on-the-future-523845

Thapa, S. (2021, December 27). 15 most expensive nfts sold (so far). ScreenRant. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://screenrant.com/expensive-nfts-sold-so-far/

What is telehealth? Telehealth.HHS.gov. (2021, August 16). Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/understanding-telehealth/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIho6fz8eT9gIVSm1vBB2bxQpXEAAYAyAAEgJzN_D_BwE