Apr 29 2020
Community Initiatives Against COVID-19: STARTUP AUTOBAHN Program Alumni – What is our ecosystem doing in response to COVID-19?
Let’s talk about the word community. A word that is used often and broadly, like many other words, holds so much meaning yet is hard to fully grasp or define. When you talk to people about what it means to them, they have completely different associations or understandings. For some it incites a sense of comfort, suggests connection with others around them. For others, community crosses borders, or exists within digital spaces. And for some people, it may represent something entirely different, maybe an absence – more challenging or exclusive, even.
But when times are tough, no matter how we understand it as individuals – and we are certainly seeing this amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic – the role of community in many of its forms, takes on a new level of significance. We are being asked as a global community to think of the larger picture and impact of our actions. We are being asked by our regions, countries, states, cities, districts, neighbors, to follow restrictions and think about the wellbeing of every other person that is at risk. When we think about the effect our actions may have on such a massive scale, we are being asked to choose what is in the best interest not only of those who hold the most power in the world, but also those who are most vulnerable. The connection that exists between all of us as a species on this planet, reminds us of the painful ripple effect of our actions if we don’t consider those who are at or beyond our periphery.
But of course, while we have the ability to provoke negative impacts as a result of our actions, we also have the power to find solutions, solve challenges, and take a proactive and positive role during these challenging times. We can also make a positive ripple effect.
For us at STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, we have an expansive network of innovators all around the world that make up our community, and we have already been seeing really amazing efforts to tackle this crisis from many of our partners, program startup alumni, and our extended ecosystem. To contribute ourselves, we decided it would be useful to spread the word about what so many of our connections are doing: to try and bring them all together in one place, and to act as a central location to share across a broader network.
When things started happening with COVID-19, we saw content on LinkedIn as well started receiving emails and updates from our network letting us know what they were doing. Following these interactions, we reached out to our program startup alumni and asked if they are working on something that assists in the fight against COVID-19. We were completely overwhelmed by what we discovered.
We are already seeing so many generous, adaptive, and inspiring responses happening. Startups are producing face masks, offering free use of their services, writing blog posts to share knowledge, designing apps and machines to help people keep distance, the list goes on and on. It is remarkable to see how so many individuals and teams are contributing in one way or another to something much bigger than themselves. We send a big thank you to everyone who is doing something to make a positive impact in these difficult times!
We will keep this list updated as we learn about additional projects or initiatives that are in the works. For the time being they are organized into three categories: “tech solutions”, “offers, trials, and free access”, and “useful content”; others may be added or adjusted. If you have something to add, please don’t hesitate to send them over to hannah@pnptc.com – let’s share these great initiatives! Plus, stay tuned for updates from our partners’ initiatives. We hope you find this useful and remember, we are here for you.
Tech Solutions:
They are now using intelligent Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to help hospitals and healthcare workers — for free, to cut through “Covid-19 red tape“.
Staying true to their sustainable design, they have designed a environmentally friendly face shield band to reduce impact of the single-use PPEs. You can find the file download here. They recommend using recycled wood and PLA polymer in 3D printing.
To support companies in achieving mask compliance, they are using AI visual inspection – real time automatic PPE inspection, to keep employees safe and companies compliant with safety guidelines.
Through building a Corona Chatbot, they aim to help companies, employees, customers and any person affected by the situation to quickly find reliable and relevant information about the topic. The Chatbot can be added to websites, intranet and more through a short process.
Due to the increase in wearing medical face masks and other PPEs, the company has trained their AI and Computer Vision to monitor and detect distractions or drowsiness in drivers that are wearing face masks.
KREATIZE reserves capacities for manufacturers of medical equipment to help fight against corona virus.
To support the production of face shields at ARENA2036, they have been able to accelerate the production flow by using NAiSE Traffic Control, minimizing contact between people. See the process in action here.
They are creating AI assistants and intelligent robots for crisis communication – to answer COVID-19 related questions on websites. You can find Regionaut on the Wirtschaftsförderung Region Stuttgart (WRS) website as well as the Sindelfingen and Renningen websites and “Kai dem Kuckuck“at the Nordschwarzwald website. Plus, more AI assistants are being added – like the Corona-Bot for Media-Lab.
Have a look at their COVID-19 Resource site all about contactless car-buying options (webinars, marketing, best practices, and more!)
They have designed and are offering downloads of their “Fighting Corona Together” templates for 3D printed face shields, a DIY face mask, space divider with plexi glass, and space divider with foil.
In an adaption of use-case, stations equipped with infrared thermal imaging sensors can serve the dual purpose of revealing any problems with a vehicle and detecting a vehicle occupant’s temperature. In addition, they offer Intelligent Vehicle Screening during COVID-19.
The team has been working on targeted solutions, including an Azure Kinect based Social Distancing Tracker that can be used for example, in production, as well as a Digital Visitor Counter – to be used to keep track of how many people are in a place, such as a supermarket.
Offers, Trials, & Free Access:
To assist in these challenging times, access a free month trial of Embold – scan your private projects, collaborate remotely with your team and be part of the cleancode movement.
Read “Why remote arguing is crucial for your team-performance!” and gain free access to their Conflict Resolution Module for 6-weeks during these challenging times.
Direct from the WFH interview platform, read their tips for recruiting from home. In addition, you can now access their Automated Video Interview tool free for 1 month, 1 position.
With the goal to minimize supply chain disruption, access their platform for running a COVID-19 Request for Information (RFI) through a global template to be used for free. This can be used for several purposes: to communicate your current situation with supplies, offer advice, ask questions. The purpose is to help both parties understand each other’s situation and identify potential for collaboration or contingency planning.
To support manufacturing business and keep operations up and running, they are now offering a free trial of Augmented Reality Support & Remote Assist with ten free licenses. They are also offering the free 360° Creator and Viewer to make your showroom or demo center an interactive experience through virtual tours to website visitors, developed within the Hackathon of the German Federal Government.Plus: You can read through their blog posts on: contributions to the crisis and supporting production companies in ramp-up management after the shutdown of production.
To stabilize and diversify supply chains in and after crisis situations, scoutbee offers an AI-supported digital scouting technology. Digital scouting can help build resilient and long-term supply chains to avoid supply chain disruptions.
Now until May 31 connect with your team through a business account with unlimited user numbers free for two apps: an employee information app for important company messages and the time tracking app for working hours.
The company is now offering free remote guidance for companies affected by COVID-19 for 60 days to support knowledge sharing and tech support within companies without personnel having to travel.
Useful Content:
Hear/watch Dirk Jonker, Founder & CEO of Crunchr on air with ‘Fast Moving Targets‘ to discuss how workforce data helps companies to make fair decisions in rough times.
Download the free E-book “3 Global Trends Transforming Hospitals & Improving Safety Standards”.
Direct from the WFH interview platform, read their tips for recruiting from home.
Read their blog “COVID-19: Breaking Down Barriers to Communication When WFH“ for tips on how to improve communication from home office.
Read The Robot Report article “Autonomous vehicles could be crucial in responding to future pandemics” written by Eitan Grosbard, the company’s Vice President of Business Development.
Recently, they hosted a webinar on April 21 “Maintaining Business Continuity with Intelligent Automation” and in addition they turned it into a Fundraiser by giving $10 for every registration and $10 for every webinar attendee to NY hospitals in need. Watch the webinar on demand now!
The use of what3words navigation is directly supporting health services: to direct patients and medical staff to correct entrances at hospitals, E-commerce & logistics: to help with delivering packages safely with an increased need for contact free deliveries. Read more about the use cases on their LinkedIn.
Also, as part of a research consortium between Crunchr People Analytics, Insurer Nationale-Nederlanden and HR advisory firms AWVN and Focus Orange, they have conducted a study to answer questions such as: What support do employees need whilst working from home? And how do companies keep their employees engaged and productive? Read the article here.
Today, without needing to reach a universal definition of the word, we revel in this concept of community – as being a part of something larger than our individual selves. We thank everyone who is taking a proactive stance in the fight against this crisis, from sharing your knowledge and experience, to producing PPEs and developing new technologies to tackle the virus and to prepare for what comes next. Your commitment and innovative spirit continues to astound us. We are so grateful to be connected with you all.
Thank you!
Your STARTUP AUTOBAHN Team